RESUMO
Obesity is a global health hazard. As standards of living are continuing to rise, weight gain and obesity are posing a growing threat to health in countries all over the world. These obese individuals are at increased risk of morbidity and mortality because of its relationship with various metabolic disorders. It is also known to cause alterations in pulmonary functions, so the present study was planned to assess the effect of obesity on pulmonary function tests in young adult females of 18 to 25 years. Based on body mass index (BMI) participants were divided in to two groups. Both groups were age and physical activity matched. Pulmonary function tests were recorded using computerized spirometry. Results when analyzed statistically using students “t” test showed that there was a significant decrease in expiratory reserve volume in obese individuals compared to controls. Other tests were not significant. This result shows that obesity has an impact on respiratory functions even in younger age group hence we have to safeguard against the hazards of obesity by taking corrective steps through our health programs.
RESUMO
AIM: The study is designed to probe for the relationship between waist to hip ratio(WHR)and static lung volumes of adults. METHODS: In July-October 2008, 1 307 healthy adults(372 males and 935 females)were selected in Heilongjiang province by means of questionnaire and physical examination. The height, weight, WHR, fat mass, percentage body fat and lung function were measured, and then grouped according to the standard of classification of WHR(central obesity male WHR ≥ 0.86, female ≥ 0.82)for analysis of the relationship between WHR and static lung volume. RESULTS: WHR was found, regardless of sex, to tend to go up with the increase in age and BMI(P<0.01), and both the fat mass and percentage body fat of the central obesity group were higher than those in the group with normal WHR(P<0.01). An independent negative correlation was found(P<0.05), also regardless of sex, between the WHR with expiratory reserve volume(ERV)in all these adults. ERV in central obesity group was lower than that in the group with normal WHR(P<0.05). Compared to the normal group, ERV in the central obesity group decreased by 11% for males and 8% for females(P<0.05). However, with regard to the relationship between WHR and VT, IC, MV, and VC, gender differences were found. For the males, a significant independent positive correlation was observed between WHR and IC(P<0.05), with IC of the central obesity group 6% higher than that in the group with normal WHR(P<0.05). For the females, significant independent positive correlation was found between WHR and MV(P<0.05), with the VT and MV of the central obesity group 7% and 6% higher(P<0.05), respectively, than that in the group with normal WHR. CONCLUSION: WHR is in an independent negative correlation with ERV. The elevation of WHR may play a role in the impairment of respiratory function. Its occurrence is accompanied by a rise of IC for the male and a rise of MV for the female. These changes in the two genders could be associated with the decrease in arterial oxygen tension caused by the decrease of ERV.