The United States has inarguably been one the hardest hit countries in the world by COVID-19. While the reasons for this is undoubtedly multi-factorial, an often overlooked confounding issue is the state of our nationwide health. In this guest post, Gaby Smith presents the compelling science on why COVID-19 and obesity are such a deadly combination. [This is a guest blog by Gaby Smith. Gaby Smith completed her MS in Exercise Science at Northeastern University and is participating in the Athletic Lab Mentorship Program. Gaby is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist and holds certifications with U.S. Soccer, USAW, and USTFCCCA.] In the United States, we find ourselves in the midst of two epidemics: COVID-19 and obesity. While initially the two may seem to be only tangentially related, numerous studies have found a significant association between BMI and risk for death among COVID-19 patients independent of related health conditions (diabetes, hypertension, coronary artery disease) (Tartof et al., 2020). This association is of particular concern in the United States, as over 40% of the population is considered obese (BMI >30 kg/m2) (Kass, 2020). To this point, the two primary strategies to slow the spread of COVID-19 include mitigation (handwashing, wearing a face covering, social distancing) and the adoption of practices consistent with good overall health. COVID-19 is primarily transmitted through airborne droplets when infected individuals cough, sneeze, talk, or breathe deeply. Inhaled droplets infect cells lining the airway and cause modest symptoms including coughing, fever, shortness of breath, fatigue, and loss of taste or smell, among others (CDC, 2020). Why is obesity such a significant risk factor Obesity seems to increase the severity of COVID-19 cases as a result of the chronic inflammation that characterizes obesity [...]