Objectives: Obesity has been suggested as a possible risk factor for the post-COVID-19 condition, but most studies rely only on body mass index (BMI), which does not reflect body fat distribution. Waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) is a simple anthropometric indicator of central obesity and a practical proxy for body fat distribution, yet it has not been studied in relation to the post-COVID-19 condition. This study aimed to examine whether obesity, measured by BMI and WHtR, is associated with the post-COVID-19 condition. Methods: A total of 500 male military conscripts (aged 18 years) underwent anthropometric measurements (height, weight, and waist circumference). Participants with prior COVID-19 were asked whether they had persistent or new symptoms after infection. BMI categories followed WHO definitions, and WHtR ≥ 0.50 was used to define central obesity. Results: Of the 376 participants who had previously experienced COVID-19, 82 (21%) experienced the post-COVID-19 condition. Obesity (BMI ≥ 30) was more common among those with the post-COVID-19 condition than those without (15% vs. 5%). BMI-defined obesity was associated with higher odds of the post-COVID-19 condition (OR 2.80, 95%CI 1.25–6.24). Central obesity was also more frequent in the post-COVID-19 condition (26% vs. 14%) and was linked to increased odds as well (OR 2.18, 95% CI 1.20–3.97). Conclusions: Both BMI-defined obesity and central obesity were associated with the post-COVID-19 condition. While WHtR does not directly quantify body fat distribution, it represents a simple and feasible anthropometric indicator. Therefore, it may be an additional useful tool for identifying individuals at higher risk of prolonged symptoms after COVID-19 infection.
Objectives: Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a prevalent chronic inflammatory upper airway disease. Despite a higher radiological disease burden in males, clinical CRS diagnoses are disproportionately registered in females, suggesting systematic underdiagnosis in young men. The 22-item Sinonasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22) represents the reference patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) for sinonasal symptom burden. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of sinonasal symptom burden and to identify associated clinical, laboratory, and lifestyle parameters in a large cohort of young male adults. Methods: In this prospective cross-sectional study, 500 young male adults underwent, as part of the conscription examination, standardized assessment including the SNOT-22, spirometry (FEV1%), whole blood count (eosinophils), and serum CRP. SNOT-22 scores were categorized as none (0–20), moderate (21–50), and severe (>50). Associations were analyzed using Spearman correlation, Mann–Whitney U, and Chi2 tests. Results: The mean SNOT-22 score was 18.8 (SD 15.2; range 0–73). A total of 38.2% of participants scored ≥21, indicating at least moderate sinonasal symptom burden. SNOT-22 correlated significantly with CRP (r = 0.117, p = 0.009) and inversely with relative FEV1% (r = −0.103, p = 0.022). Eosinophils showed a numeric gradient across SNOT-22 categories (3.08% vs. 3.31% vs. 3.56%) without reaching significance. Conclusions: More than one third of young male adults reported significant self-reported sinonasal symptom burden. Symptom severity was associated with systemic inflammatory markers and reduced pulmonary function, supporting the unified airway concept. These findings support the utility of SNOT-22 as a low-threshold assessment tool for self-reported sinonasal symptom burden in preventive health examinations.