@ARTICLE{Aria, author = {Aria, Behzad and Ayatollahi, Jamshid and Kargar, Hamideh and }, title = {The role of physical activity and body mass index in the development and prevention of COVID-19}, volume = {8}, number = {2}, abstract ={Introduction: Given the high spread and mortality rate of COVID-19, it is of great importance to find solutions to prevent it. In this study, the role of physical activity and body mass index in the development or prevention of COVID-19 was investigated. Materials and methods: In this cross-sectional study, participants included 155 patients with coronavirus selected as the experimental group and 150 age-matched healthy people included in the control group. The participants' physical activity levels were assessed using Beck's physical activity questionnaire. Independent t-test and binary logistic regression were run to analyze the data. Results: The findings showed a significant difference between the patient and control groups body mass index (BMI), and total physical activity (P <0.05). On the other hand, total physical activity had a significant effect on COVID-19 prevention (P <0.05), but BMI had a significant increasing effect on the risk of COVID-19 (P <0.05). Conclusion: It seems that physical activity can be effective in the prevention of COVID-19, but a higher body mass index may increase the risk for the development of COVID-19. }, URL = {http://jbrms.medilam.ac.ir/article-1-584-en.html}, eprint = {http://jbrms.medilam.ac.ir/article-1-584-en.pdf}, journal = {Journal of Basic Research in Medical Sciences}, doi = {}, year = {2021} }