Differences in quality of life, pulmonary function, and exercise behaviour in young overweight individuals with and without COVID-19

Introduction: The consequences of COVID-19 on quality of life, pulmonary function, and exercise behaviour among young overweight adults remain unclear. Objective: To investigate the effects of COVID-19 infection on quality of life, pulmonary function, and exercise behaviour in young overweight men and women. Methodology: A total of 128 young overweight men and women were divided into two groups: those with a history of COVID-19 infection (COVID) and those without COVID-19 infection (NCOVID). Quality of life, pulmonary function, exercise behaviour, and the effects of COVID-19 infection were assessed. Data were analysed using a paired-samples t-test to compare differences between the two groups, with statistical significance set at p < .05. Results: COVID women experienced mild to moderate pain or discomfort dimension in quality of life that was significantly higher than those in the NCOVID group. Quality of life was associated with height among men in the COVID group. Mobility, self-care, usual activities, and anxiety or depression dimensions in quality of life did not differ between the two groups. Exercise frequency was higher among young overweight men than women in both groups. Overweight men and women reported no symptoms; however, women reported cough and breathlessness more frequently than men after contracting COVID-19. There were no statistically significant differences in pulmonary function and exercise behaviour between the two groups. Conclusions: This study indicated that overweight women in the COVID group experienced mild to moderate pain or discomfort in quality of life to a greater extent than the NCOVID group, with no differences in pulmonary function or exercise behaviour between the two groups.