Wellbeing, Obesity and Overweight Matrix: Exercise Medicine as Preventive Remedy to COVID-19 Risk Infections among Adults in Masvingo Urban, Zimbabwe

Abstract

Globally, obesity and COVID-19 scourge are life-threatening risks to human existence and well-being with a heavy bearing to human capital and resources. Epidemiologic breadth of these cormobidities subsequently contributes to high mortality rates. This study explored the extent to which obesity and overweight cormobidities are connected with coronavirus infections. It was conducted with the view to recommend exercise medicine as a non-pharmacological preventive measure to this viral infection. This cross-sectional study adopted a quantitative approach that was informed by a positivist research philosophy. It was conducted in Masvingo urban among male and female participants with obese and overweight conditions. The study population was 120 from which 40 participants (35 years+) were drawn. In drawing up this sample size stratified random sampling was adopted with Taro Yamani’s (1970) formula used to determine a convenient size for the study. Bowley’s proportional allocation formula statistically distributed participants into their particular strata. WHO s' Global Physical Activity questionnaire was adopted and used to collect data that was presented on tables. Emerging findings revealed that overweight and obesity cormobidities were connected with high risks of COVID-19 infections with subsequent high mortality rates. Sedentary lifestyles highly contributed to the development of obesity and overweight tendencies. The study recommends that obese persons engage in aerobic and anaerobic physical training in order to trim down risks associated with COVID-19 infections. Adults need to be actively involved in HIIT of moderate to vigorous intensities for at least five times a week to develop cardiovascular fitness (CVF) and reduce burden of health-care costs. This could significantly reduce angiotensin levels, blood viral spikes and excess intramuscular ectopic fat deposits, a prime target of COVID-19 infection. This capacitates enzyme activation potentiating catalytic energy catabolism promoting efficient arterial routes and strong immunity. Anthropometric body tests are necessary to clinically ascertain Lean Body Mass and normal Body Mass Indexes.