Conclusions
weight loss, infections
ADIPOSITY, INFECTIONS
In older adults with overweight/obesity, higher body weight, BMI, waist circumference, and WHtR at baseline, measured 5–6 years prior to the pandemic, were associated with increased COVID-19 risk. Also, every unit reduction in body weight and BMI over this period was associated with decreased COVID-19 risk. Achieving ≥ 5% reductions in body weight loss compared to having gains in these measures was associated with lower COVID-19 incidence even when adjusted for baseline adiposity. In older adults with prior overweight/obesity, achieving clinically significant weight loss may be important to optimize immunity against COVID-19 and potentially other similar infections.