Hormonal
Obesity is associated with impaired immune function, including higher incidence and severity of infectious illnesses and poor antibody responses to vaccines.
If you are obese, your immune system may not function as efficiently as that of a lean person, particularly in responding to vaccines and fighting infections. This is largely driven by hormonal factors like leptin. Maintaining a healthy weight and managing metabolic health are important for supporting robust immune defense.
In general terms, clinical and epidemiological data support the evidence that the incidence and severity of specific types of infectious illnesses are higher in obese persons as compared to lean individuals together with the occurrence of poor anti-body responses to antigens in overweight subjects.
Why this rating
The claim is supported by multiple clinical, epidemiological, and animal studies cited in the review, though the review itself notes some controversy and heterogeneity in human data.
Source
Obesity and immune function relationships
Amelia Martí et al. · Obesity Reviews · 2001
DOI 10.1046/j.1467-789x.2001.00025.x
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- Leptin plays a critical role in linking nutritional status to immune function, specifically by stimulating T-cell proliferation and proinflammatory cytokine production.Good
- Moderate energy restriction and weight loss can reverse some immune impairments associated with obesity, such as reduced lymphocyte proliferation and NK cell activity.Moderate
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