The epidemiological profile associated with lifestyle risk factors and nutritional status for COVID-19 patients in the Iraqi population

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of COVID-19 infection and to identify the lifestyle factors and nutritional status associated with the epidemiological profile of COVID-19 patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional survey was carried out in the eighteen Iraqi governorates, from 1(st) August to 20(th) of October 2020. At the end of this study, 433 participants were recruited. RESULTS: The prevalence of coronavirus infection was 37.18%. Smoking and active physical activity were relatively higher for COVID-19 patients who are male, and belonged to the under-45 age range were 91.3%. It notices that COVID-19 patients who smoked and had active physical activity were married, residents in urban, and worked. Likewise, COVID-19 patients who had equal or more than an institute/college level of education are smokers and had active physical activity. Obesity prevalence was higher for patients aged <45 (92.2%), and higher for females (51%). The proportion of obesity was generally higher for married and for those living in urban areas (92.2%). Obesity was significantly more common among those in worked (70.6%). CONCLUSIONS: Of note is the high prevalence of COVID-19 infection observed. A strong correlation between the prevalence of active physical activity among COVID-19 patients and gender, marital status, residence, education, and occupation. Unexpectedly, the prevalence rate of obesity among COVID-19 patients correlating with socio-demographic status did not yield a significant difference.