ABSTRACT
AIMS: To investigate the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and peak expiratory flow (PEF) values in children between the ages of 6 and 14 years. METHODS: Data were collected from 1,439 children during public health screening. Each child was classified on the basis of age- and sex-specific BMI percentile as non-obese or obese (BMI >95th percentile). PEF and BMI were compared among age-sex-BMI percentile groups. RESULTS: PEF values were lower in obese children than in non-obese children. There were also significant differences between girls and boys. CONCLUSIONS: The association of higher BMI with lower PEF may indicate that obesity is an important risk factor for reduced airflow or lung function in children. These findings emphasise the importance of the prevention of obesity in children and adolescents in order to avoid possible future respiratory problems.
