A new study published in the journal PLOS Global Public Health claims that Long Covid symptoms are more prevalent in obese females. The University Of East Anglia (UEA) study demonstrates that a higher Body Mass Index (BMI) is associated with an increased risk of developing long Covid than males. 

Experts stated that Long Covid is a complex illness that develops while or after receiving Covid. It is categorized as such when symptoms persist for longer than 12 weeks. It has various effects on different people. The typical symptoms include breathlessness, coughing, heart palpitations, headaches, and extreme weariness. Other signs and symptoms could include tightness or soreness in the chest, cognitive fog, sleep problems, lightheadedness, joint pain, depression and anxiety, tinnitus, lack of appetite, migraines, and changes in taste or smell.

The study aimed to identify the variables that can increase or decrease a persons risk of lengthy Covid. An online poll that addressed long-Covid symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain, exhaustion, and memory issues was completed by 1,487 patients, who researchers then analyzed.

They discovered that more than half of the 774 participants reported having at least one long Covid symptom, indicating a high self-reported prevalence. The prevalence of long Covid symptoms was found to be higher in women than in males, and a higher BMI was associated with long Covid.

The study also found that those who had lengthy Covid symptoms were nearly three times as likely to access medical services as those who did not. The results will thus aid in the planning of regional services by policymakers and provide information about the scope of the long-running Covid epidemic to the general public.

(Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/health/long-covid-linked-with-increased-body-weight-study-101669902037880.html)