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Association Between Obesity and Post-COVID-19 Condition in Military Conscripts
Reinhard Domanyi1,2, Emanuel Maitz2, Alexandros Andrianakis2
1Military Hospital Graz, 8052 Graz, Austria.
Journal of Clinical Medicine
|January 10, 2026
Summary
Obesity, measured by body mass index (BMI) and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), is linked to an increased risk of developing the post-COVID-19 condition. This suggests WHtR may help identify individuals susceptible to long COVID symptoms.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Anthropometry
Background:
- Obesity is a potential risk factor for post-COVID-19 condition.
- Traditional measures like BMI do not fully capture body fat distribution.
- Waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) is an indicator of central obesity and body fat distribution.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between obesity (defined by BMI and WHtR) and the post-COVID-19 condition.
- To assess if WHtR can serve as a proxy for body fat distribution in relation to long COVID.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 500 male military conscripts (aged 18) were assessed.
- Anthropometric measurements including height, weight, and waist circumference were taken.
- Participants reported persistent or new symptoms post-COVID-19; BMI and WHtR (≥0.50 for central obesity) were calculated.
Main Results:
- Of 376 participants with prior COVID-19, 21% experienced the post-COVID-19 condition.
- BMI-defined obesity (≥30) was more prevalent in those with post-COVID-19 (15% vs. 5%) and associated with higher odds (OR 2.80).
- Central obesity (WHtR ≥0.50) was also more frequent (26% vs. 14%) and linked to increased odds (OR 2.18).
Conclusions:
- Both BMI-defined obesity and central obesity are associated with the post-COVID-19 condition.
- WHtR is a simple, feasible indicator that may help identify individuals at higher risk for prolonged COVID-19 symptoms.
- Further research into anthropometric measures for long COVID risk stratification is warranted.
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