The function and respiratory muscle strength in Thai obese children.

ABSTRACT

Objective: This study was to compare the pulmonary function, respiratory muscle strength, and physical activity level between obese and non-obese children and to determine the correlation between pulmonary function, respiratory muscle strength and physical activity level in both child groups. Methods: Thai healthy children aged between 10-12 years participated in this study. They were classified into an obese group with body weight > +3 standard deviations and a non-obese group with body weight between+ 1.5 standard deviations of children who have the same height. Children in both groups were measured for pulmonary function, forced vital capacity (FVC), and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), FEV1/FVC ratio, vital capacity (VC), inspiratory muscle strength (MIP), expiratory muscle strength (MEP), and physical activity level. Results: The results showed that FVC, FEV1 and VC of the obese group were statistically higher than the non-obese group (p<0.05). FEV1/FVC ratio of the obese group was statistically lower than the non-obese group (p<0.05). MIP and MEP were not significantly different between the groups (p>0.05). Physical activity levels were not significantly different between the groups (p>0.05). Moreover, the results demonstrated that physical activity level in the obese group had no correlation with FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC ratio and VC (r = 0.203, 0.170, -0.067 and 0.133 respectively; p > 0.05) and similarly the non-obese group showed no correlation with FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC ratio and VC (r = 0.225, 0.168, -0.207 and 0.168 respectively; p > 0.05). Additionally, the results demonstrated that physical activity level in the obese group had no correlation with MIP and MEP (r = 0.151 and 0.355 respectively; p > 0.05) and similarly the non-obese group showed no correlation with MIP and MEP (r = 0.202 and 0.006 respectively; p > 0.05). Conclusion: This study provides information about the pulmonary function and respiratory muscle strength in Thai obese children. FVC, FEV1 and VC of the obese group were higher than the non-obese group. In addition, FEV1/FVC ratio of the obese group was lower than the non-obese group. Although, all parameters including pulmonary function of both groups were in the normal range. However, obese children tend to observe airway obstruction higher than non-obese children. Moreover, respiratory muscle strength and physical activity level were not different between groups. Additionally, physical activity level had no correlation with pulmonary function and respiratory muscle strength in both groups.