Understanding how obesity affects COVID-19 and how COVID-19 impacts metabolism
Official title: Impact of obesity on SARS-CoV-2 infection and reciprocal effects of SARS-CoV-2 on metabolic disease
Funded at Oregon Health & Science University · NIH-11117098 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project explores how having obesity changes the way your body responds to COVID-19, and how the virus itself might affect your metabolism.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Oregon Health & Science University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Portland, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $997,077 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK132225-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11117098 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This research is relevant for adults aged 21 and older who have obesity and have been infected with SARS-CoV-2, or those interested in the metabolic effects of COVID-19.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without obesity or those not affected by SARS-CoV-2 infection may not directly benefit from this specific research.
What this research studies
We know that conditions like diabetes and heart disease, often linked to obesity, can make COVID-19 more severe. This work aims to find out if obesity alone, even without these other diagnoses, increases the risk of serious COVID-19 outcomes. Researchers are also looking into how COVID-19 might change your body's sugar and fat metabolism, potentially leading to new-onset diabetes or long-term health issues after recovery. Understanding these connections could help us better protect people with obesity from severe COVID-19 and manage its lasting effects.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to better strategies for preventing severe COVID-19 in people with obesity and for managing metabolic problems that arise after infection.
How similar studies have gone: While the link between obesity and severe respiratory disease is known, this project specifically explores the two-way relationship between obesity and SARS-CoV-2 infection, including long-term metabolic changes, which is a growing area of investigation.
Where this research is happening
-
Oregon Health & Science University
Portland, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Roberts, Charles T — Oregon Health & Science University
- Study coordinator: Roberts, Charles T
Related research
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.