COVID-19 symptoms and obesity in Korean airline crew

Background We aimed to investigate the differences in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) symptoms according to weight among flight and cabin attendants in Korea. Methods This study was designed as a cross-sectional survey, comprising 180 airline crew members. Results Out of 180 participants, 22 participants had no symptoms at the onset. Among the 158 participants who experienced symptoms, the most common ones were fatigue (79.7%), cough (63.9%), and myalgia (63.3%). Participants who did not currently smoke and drank less than once a month reported more symptoms of COVID-19. The number of COVID-19 symptoms was significantly higher in participants with normal weight compared to those who were overweight/obese ( p =  .004). The time taken to return to flight duties after completing COVID-19 treatment was significantly longer for participants with normal weight compared to those who were overweight/obese ( p =  .041). Conclusion Airlines should make efforts to manage fatigue in airline crew members infected with COVID-19. Additionally, smoking and weight have an impact on the severity of COVID-19 in young people; therefore, continuous management is necessary, even if the number of reported symptoms is small.