ABSTRACT
The purpose of the study was to evaluate the influence of body size and shape, and of fat distribution on respiratory functions in adult women. The sample consisted of 107 women aged 17-82 years. Height, weight, chest, waist and hip circumferences, abdominal, and subscapular and triceps skinfolds were examined. The BMI and WHR were calculated. Forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), peak expiratory flow (PEF), maximal expiratory flow (MEF75), forced expiratory time (FET) were used as measures of respiratory function. Positive correlations were found between z-scores of height and VC, FEV1, FVC, between WHR and VC, and between circumference and FET. Negative correlations were found between z-scores of BMI and VC, FEV1, between subscapular skinfold and VC, FEV1, FVC and between abdominal skinfold and VC. Stepwise multiple regression analysis showed that traits of body size and shape mostly influenced VC (32 %) and FVC (31 %). Body height and WHR significantly affected VC, while height and subscapular skinfold affected FVC. A significant association between fat distribution described by BMI, WHR, and skinfold thickness and respiratory parameters was observed. These results confirm a complex effect of body size and shape, and of fat distribution on respiratory function.
