A new study reveals a high body mass index raises the risk for severe COVID-19 and admission to intensive care units among African Americans.<br />According to UPI, BMI is a calculation based on a person's height and weight and identifies whether they are overweight or obese.<br />Novel coronavirus COVID-19 intensive care unit patients had a higher average body mass index than those who weren't admitted to the ICU.<br />ICU patients had an average BMI of 36.5, as opposed to an average BMI of 31.9 among other patients. Both levels are within the range of obesity.<br />In addition, they found patients who needed to be in intensive care were older -- on average, age 62 versus 55.<br />This study is of particular interest in response to emerging reports revealing the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on the African American community in our country. Study co-author Dr. Christine Bojanowski Assistant Professor of Medicine, Tulane Medical Center, New Orleans
