EXCESS weight is emerging as a significant risk factor for neurological and neuropsychiatric symptoms in post-COVID-19 condition (PCC), according to new findings presented in a new systematic review and meta-analysis. In a pooled analysis of 18 studies involving over 139,000 adults, researchers found that overweight and obesity were strongly associated with a range of lingering symptoms more than 12 weeks after initial SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Neurological symptoms such as persistent headache (odds ratio [OR] = 1.23), memory issues (relative risk [RR] = 1.43), sleep disturbances (RR = 1.31), vertigo (RR = 1.21), and depression (RR = 1.21) were significantly more common in individuals with excess weight compared to those with normal weight. Among those classified as obese, the likelihood of experiencing numbness (RR = 1.61), persistent headache (OR = 1.45), and altered senses—such as smell (OR = 1.16) and taste disorders (OR = 1.22)—was also significantly higher.
These findings are based on a rigorous search of eight global databases, covering publications up to July 2023. The studies compared patients with excess weight (n = 79,050) and obesity (n = 30,694) against control groups with normal weight (n = 57,926) and non-obesity (n = 107,612), using a random-effects model to synthesize data across diverse global cohorts.
The authors stress that these associations underscore the urgent need for personalized post-COVID care strategies that factor in weight status. As the pandemic transitions to an endemic phase, identifying individuals at higher risk of long-term neurological complications is critical for managing healthcare resources and optimizing patient outcomes.
Reference:
Ronca D et al. Excess weight is associated with neurological and neuropsychiatric symptoms in post-COVID-19 condition: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLOS ONE. 2025;20:e0314892.
