Behavioral factors and the risk of viral infection: Essential aspects during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

The current COVID-19 pandemic has been continuing for over 11 months. Several nutritional and behavioral aspects have been associated with an increased inflammatory state or oxidative stress, which could negatively affect the course of COVID-19. Previous research showed that metabolic diseases, including obesity or type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), in which proper diet is especially important, increase the risk of COVID-19 and can exacerbate its course. This should be taken into account particularly in the areas with high prevalence of obesity and T2DM, such as the Western countries. In our paper, we briefly summarized the harmful and beneficial nutritional and behavioral aspects that are essential during the COVID-19 pandemic and which are present in particular among patients with obesity and T2DM.