Being overweight was the most prevalent factor in 22% of the children who were hospitalized with COVID-19, according to a study published in Jama Pediatrics. The research involved 50 children hospitalized with COVID-19 between March 1 and April 15,2020, at a children's hospital in New York City.
Obesity was also a significant underlying condition in children sickened with COVID-19 who required mechanical ventilation while in the hospital. Researchers concluded that the severity of COVID-19 increased with obesity.
According to the CDC, about 13.7 million children and adolescents in the U.S. are obese.
Source: Becker’s Hospital Review June 4, 2020