The Claim

In adults with post-COVID-19 condition, 9.8% of individuals have baseline energy intake insufficient to meet total energy expenditure, and 50% have baseline energy intake insufficient to meet resting energy expenditure, indicating widespread undernutrition that impairs recovery and physical rehabilitation outcomes.

Source: Increased physical performance after personalised physiotherapy and nutritional counselling in adults with post-COVID-19 condition: a feasibility randomised trial

What the research says

Supports is higher

Support is ahead, but a single strong opposing study can change this.

Supports
73score
Challenges
0score

These are independent scores, not a percentage. Higher-grade studies count more, so a single strong opposing study can outweigh several weaker ones.

Quantitative
1 study reviewed
In plain English

Among adults with long-term effects after COVID-19, nearly 1 in 10 consume too few calories to cover their total daily energy needs, and half consume too few to cover their basic bodily functions at rest, resulting in undernutrition that reduces recovery and physical rehabilitation success.

See the scientific wording

In adults with post-COVID-19 condition, baseline energy intake is insufficient to meet total energy expenditure in 9.8% of individuals and resting energy expenditure in 50% of individuals, indicating widespread undernutrition that may impair recovery and physical rehabilitation outcomes.

Why this might work

When the body doesn't get enough calories to cover its basic needs, it can't make enough energy for muscles to work properly or repair themselves. This causes muscles to weaken, fatigue sets in faster, and recovery from activity becomes slower. The lack of fuel also reduces the number of energy-producing parts inside cells, making everything less efficient.

Verified mechanismbased on 1 study

What the research says

1 study

  1. Study: Increased physical performance after personalised physiotherapy and nutritional counselling in adults with post-COVID-19 condition: a feasibility randomised trial

    The study found that half of the people with long COVID weren’t eating enough calories just to keep their bodies running at rest — which is exactly what the claim says. This means many of them may be undernourished, making recovery harder.

Score breakdown, mechanism chain, raw evidence, ideal studies needed & 1 supporting studies

Fit Body Science verdict — we translate health claims into clear verdicts backed by peer-reviewed research.

Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.