Do body mass index (BMI) and history of nutritional supplementation play a role in the severity of COVID-19? A retrospective study

Purpose: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious disease that puts strain on health-care systems Obesity is considered as a risk factor for the severity of infection Hypotheses also suggested some nutritional supplements may be useful in COVID-19 This paper aims to assess the role of body mass index (BMI) and nutritional supplements on the severity of COVID-19 Design/methodology/approach: This research was conducted on 603 participants (in five groups including: exposure to virus and healthy, COVID-19 positive patients with severity of mild, moderate, severe and death from COVID-19), in age 18 to 65 years Demographic data and history of nutritional supplements were asked Anthropometric measurements were measured in a healthy group and in a patient They were collected by referring to patients' medical records Findings: The mean of BMI in groups with severity symptoms of moderate (27 57 kg/m2), severe (29 70 kg/m2) and death persons (28 13 kg/m2), was significantly higher than healthy (26 70 kg/m2) and mild symptoms (26 57 kg/m2) groups (p = 0 001) The logistic regression shown, the fourth quartile of BMI was significantly associated with occurrence of COVID19, odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI): [OR: 1 81, (95% CI: 1 13– 2 89), p-for trend = 0 55] There was no significant difference in the percentage of vitamin C, D3, Zinc, Iron and multivitamin supplements intake, between groups, in the past six months (p = 0 11) Originality/value: This study indicated the role of higher BMI in the occurrence and severity of COVID-19 Researches are not enough to recommend consumption of nutritional supplements for the prevention of COVID-19 © 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited