Nutrients (Sep 2021)

Single and Combinative Impacts of Healthy Eating Behavior and Physical Activity on COVID-19-like Symptoms among Outpatients: A Multi-Hospital and Health Center Survey

  • Minh H. Nguyen,
  • Thu T. M. Pham,
  • Dinh N. Vu,
  • Binh N. Do,
  • Hoang C. Nguyen,
  • Thai H. Duong,
  • Khue M. Pham,
  • Linh V. Pham,
  • Thao T. P. Nguyen,
  • Cuong Q. Tran,
  • Quyen H. Nguyen,
  • Thanh M. Hoang,
  • Khanh V. Tran,
  • Trang T. Duong,
  • Shwu-Huey Yang,
  • Chyi-Huey Bai,
  • Tuyen Van Duong

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13093258
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 13, no. 9
p. 3258

Abstract

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Background: Healthy eating and physical activity are effective non-pharmacological approaches to boost immune function and contain the pandemic. We aimed to explore the associations and interactions between physical activity and healthy eating behavior with COVID-19-like symptoms (Slike-CV19S). Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 3947 outpatients, from 14 February to 2 March 2020, at nine health facilities in Vietnam. Data collection included sociodemographic characteristics, healthy eating behavior (using the healthy eating score (HES) questionnaire), physical activity (using the short form international physical activity questionnaire), and Slike-CV19S. The associations and interactions were tested using logistic regression models. Results: Frequent intake of fruits (OR = 0.84; p = 0.016), vegetables (OR = 0.72; p = 0.036), and fish (OR = 0.43; p p = 0.033 for medium HES; OR = 0.77; p = 0.006 for high HES) or being physically active (OR = 0.69; p p = 0.005), or with high HES and physically active (OR = 0.58; p < 0.001), had a lower Slike-CV19S likelihood, as compared to those with low HES and physical inactivity. Conclusions: Healthy eating behavior and physical activity showed single and combinative impacts on protecting people from Slike-CV19S. Strategic approaches are encouraged to improve healthy behaviors, which may further contribute to containing the pandemic.

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