Obesity and lung health

Obesity among population has increased dramatically and has received considerable recent public health attention. The impact of obesity on lung health has become a recognized problem worldwide and an area of intense research. Obese people are at greater risk for asthma, impaired lung mechanics, sleep-disordered breathing, and obesity hypoventilation syndrome. Complete pulmonary function testing [measuring spirometry, lung volumes, and diffusion] often shows a restrictive disease pattern with decreased expiratory reserve volume [ERV] and functional residual capacity [FRC]. For more information on pulmonary function testing, see http:/www.nlm.nih.gov/ medlineplus/ency/article/003853.htm. [Also see Guide to respiratory abbreviations]