The Type of Obesity and Its Impact on Pulmonary Functions.

ABSTRACT

Obesity has been associated with many health consequences, including but not limited to diabetes, hypertension, hyperlpidemia, ischemic heart diseases, obstructive sleep apnea, stroke, premature death, osteoporosis and a reduction of the overall quality of life. Obesity affects the respiratory system as well. To investigate the effect of obesity on the respiratory system, most researchers use values of pulmonary function tests (PFT). Poor respiratory function and obesity are associated with all-cause and cardiovascular disease mortality. Obese persons may also have impaired lung function, but the mechanism is unclear. Waisthip ratio was used to assess abdominal obesity, and forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC), obtained by spirometry, were used to assess respiratory function. Both FEV1 and FVC were linearly and inversely related across the entire range of waisthip ratio in both men and women. Objectives of the study 1) To evaluate the effect of obesity on pulmonary functions. 2) To find out whether there is any difference in breathing pattern with the type of obesity.