Comparison of the Prevalence of COVID-19 in Female Students based on Body Mass Index and Waist–Hip Ratio

COVID19 is an acute respiratory syndrome that affects the immune system. Obesity can increase the risk of developing this disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of COVID-19 in female students based on their body mass index (BMI) and waist-hip ratio (WHR).

700 girl students aged 15-18 years in Neyshabur City, Iran were selected by simple random sampling and divided into two groups: the healthy (n=519) and Corona (n=181). The results were analyzed using non-parametric statistical tests of Mann-Whitney U Test, Spearman correlation coefficient and two-point string test at a significance level of p≥0.05.

In the healthy group, the mean of BMI was 21.09±3.4, WHR 0.77±0.07, and age 16.53±1 years and in the Corona group, the mean of BMI was 22.32±4.11, WHR 0.77±0.06 and age was 16.80±0.89 years, respectively. The results of the Mann-Whitney U test in the BMI of the two groups were significantly different (P = 0.001). Abdominal obesity was not significant in both groups (P = 0.469). There was a significant positive relationship between BMI and WHR (P = 0.00094). There was a significant relationship between BMI and Corona using the agreement coefficient with the two-point string test (P = 0.001). Also, the results of the Mann-Whitney U test showed that the resting heart rate of the two groups was significantly different (P = 0.026).

The results of the present study showed that in adolescents, increasing BMI and resting heart rate increases the prevalence of Corona disease and abdominal obesity has no effect on corona virus infection. Therefore, due to the effect of exercise activities on losing weight and resting heart rate, the need to do these activities during quarantine is considered.