COVID-19: healthy lifestyles reduce risk

Healthy lifestyles reduce risk Across 120 studies, exercise, a healthy diet, improved sleep, and sunlight show significantly lower risk for SARS-CoV-2, just as they do for other viruses2-5. They all have connections to other effective treatments:

Lifestyles may reduce risk even after infection Most studies examine outcomes based on lifestyles before infection. What about during infection? Logically, healthy lifestyles may still be beneficial, especially prior to later stage disease, and within limits(b). One study predicts lower mortality for increased sunlight exposure before 7 days after infection128. In hospitalized patients, studies show lower mortality with exercise61, and faster recovery with near-infrared light6.

Pandemic measures harmed lifestyles 25 of 25 studies in a meta-analysis showed a decrease in physical activity during the pandemic129. Those at high risk were more likely to be physically inactive130. There were unfavorable changes in diet131,132 and sleep132,133. Lockdowns increased vitamin D deficiency134,135. A review showed negative effects for mental health, physical activity, and obesity136, and those with poor health status may have been more likely to have unfavorable lifestyle changes, compounding risk137. Fear, stress, and loneliness increase risk for poor COVID-19 outcomes138. Inaccurate depictions of risk and available treatments, along with public health measures involving isolation, may have compounded risk among the most vulnerable. The pandemic was associated with increased weight and higher prevalence of hypertension in adolescents in the USA139, and a substantial increase in global hunger and malnutrition140. Overweight and underweight both increase risk for COVID-19141.