• The primary goal of study was to assess the relationship between obesity classes according to BMI and the severity of COVID-19 symptoms, in Italy.

• The study was conducted in Veneto, a region close to Lombardy where the first case in Italy was discovered.

• The mean age of the study was 70.5 ± 13 years (n=92) and 61.9% were males.

• Patients were separated into 3 groups based on their BMI categories: normal weight, overweight, and obese.

• It was found that younger patients were overweight/obese in comparison to the older patients who were of normal weight.

• It was also found that, after adjusting for sex, age, and comorbidities, overweight and obese patients more frequently required assisted ventilation and/or intensive or semi-intensive care than patients of normal weight.