Obesities

20 pages, 283 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Obesity Aggravates the Clinical Profile of COVID-19 Patients Hospitalized in the North of Mato Grosso, Brazil: A Cohort Study

by Karla Kelly Paniago Miranda dos Santos, Mauro André Azevedo Silva Kaiser Cabral, Vinícius Tadeu Ribeiro Mattar, Felipe Cézar de Oliveira Costa, Rayane Manoel Garcia, Breno Marcos Brito do Valle, Diogo Albino de Queiroz, André Ferreira do Nascimento, Renata de Azevedo Melo Luvizotto and Eveline Aparecida Isquierdo Fonseca de Queiroz

Obesities 2025, 5(1), 4; https://doi.org/10.3390/obesities5010004 (registering DOI) - 15 Jan 2025

Abstract

COVID-19, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, has significantly impacted global health, particularly among patients with obesity. This study evaluates the prevalence and effects of overweight and obesity on the clinical profiles and complications of COVID-19 patients admitted to a hospital in Northern Mato Grosso. We conducted a retrospective cohort study analyzing medical records of COVID-19 patients hospitalized from March 2020 to March 2021. Patients were classified into normal body weight, overweight, and obesity groups. Data were statistically analyzed using Kruskal–Wallis’s test and Dunn’s post-test (continuous variables) or by the chi-square test (χ²) (categorical variables). Among 145 ward records, 24.1% were normal body weight, 46.2% were overweight, and 29.7% were obese. In the intensive care unit, data from 243 patients indicated that 17.3% were normal body weight, 37.9% were overweight, and 44.9% were obese, highlighting a concerning prevalence of overweight/obesity. Chest computed tomography revealed that moderate pulmonary involvement (25–50%) was most frequent in the overweight group, while severe involvement (>50%) was predominant in the obesity group. The obesity group experienced more complications, including increased use of mechanical ventilation. Notably, in both settings, mortality rates were higher among patients with overweight and obesity. This study concludes that overweight and obesity significantly worsen COVID-19 outcomes. Full article

12 pages, 862 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Feasibility of an Online Lifestyle Intervention During the COVID-19 Pandemic on the BMI Z-Score of Mexican Schoolchildren: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

by Diana L. Ramírez-Rivera, Teresita Martínez-Contreras, Alma L. Ruelas, Trinidad Quizán-Plata, Julián Esparza-Romero, Michelle M. Haby and Rolando G. Díaz-Zavala

Obesities 2025, 5(1), 3; https://doi.org/10.3390/obesities5010003 (registering DOI) - 15 Jan 2025

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic was a risky period for childhood obesity, due to the increase in unhealthy behaviors. Online interventions could prevent this problem. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and explore the effect of an online program on the BMI z-score of Mexican schoolchildren at 4 months during the pandemic. A pilot randomized controlled trial was conducted with 54 children. The intervention included three online sessions per week of nutrition and physical activity, as well as nutrition information for parents during 4 months. The control group received one nutrition digital brochure. Of the schoolchildren enrolled, 87% completed the study, and the intervention group attended 46% of the classes. At the end of the intervention, no significant difference between groups in the BMI z-score was observed (−0.02, 95% CI −0.19 to 0.15). However, the intervention group improved their quality of life and daily fruit consumption. This online intervention implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic was feasible, and the exploratory analysis showed positive trends in quality of life and daily fruit consumption but not in the BMI z-score and other secondary variables of Mexican schoolchildren. Additional strategies may be needed to improve attendance in online interventions and their impact on BMI in this age group. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Obesity and Its Comorbidities: Prevention and Therapy)

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11 pages, 608 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Gender Differences in Physical Activity Levels Among Overweight and Obese Medical Students During and After the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Single-Center Cross-Sectional Study

by Bartosz Bogusz Adamczak, Aureliusz Andrzej Kosendiak, Zofia Kuźnik, Szymon Makles and Weronika Hariasz

Obesities 2025, 5(1), 2; https://doi.org/10.3390/obesities5010002 - 9 Jan 2025

Viewed by 272

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic profoundly affected the physical activity (PA) patterns of various social groups, including medical students. This study aims to compare the levels of PA, expressed in metabolic equivalent of task minutes per week (MET-m/w), among overweight and obese medical students, during and after the pandemic. The pandemic period was defined as spanning from 2020 to 16 May 2022, while the post-pandemic period covered the second half of 2022 through the end of 2023. PA levels were assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), and Body Mass Index (BMI) was calculated based on self-reported weight and height. Only individuals with a BMI ≥ 25 kg/m² were included. In total, 233 medical students from Wroclaw Medical University were assessed during the pandemic, and 217 post-pandemic. PA was categorized into walking, moderate, and vigorous with total MET-m/w calculated. During the pandemic, no significant gender differences were observed in walking, moderate, vigorous, or total PA. Post-pandemic, males demonstrated significantly higher levels of vigorous PA (p < 0.001) and total MET-m/w (p < 0.0001) compared to females. These findings underscore the necessity for targeted interventions promoting PA among overweight and obese medical students, especially among females. Full article

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8 pages, 221 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Obesity Impacts Mortality After Cardiac Surgery

by Jeana Cristina Barretta, Andriws de Souza Urtassum and Fabiana Meneghetti Dallacosta

Obesities 2025, 5(1), 1; https://doi.org/10.3390/obesities5010001 - 27 Dec 2024

Viewed by 349

Abstract

Background: Nutritional status can interfere with postoperative morbidity and mortality, but few studies have analyzed patients in the late postoperative period. Objective: To assess the relationship between nutritional status and mortality, complications and length of stay after cardiac surgery. Methods: A prospective longitudinal study, involving patients that had undergone elective cardiac surgery, who were followed up for 180 days. Results: A total of 100 participants, with a mean age of 63.3 years, were included, 61% of whom were men, and 89% of whom were sedentary. A mortality rate of 9% in 30 days and 13% in 180 days were found. Death was not related to physical activity, food, smoking, alcohol consumption and comorbidities. Patients who died had a higher Tuman score. After 6 months, it was observed that the risk of death was 2.17 times higher in those who were obese. Mortality was related to the type of surgery: myocardial revascularization (p < 0.05), complications during surgery (p < 0.001), postoperative complications (p < 0.000) and obesity (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Postoperative mortality is related to obesity, such as surgical complications and the type of surgery performed. Full article

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Obesities, Volume 5, Issue 1 (March 2025) – 4 articles

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