Association between obesity and lung function among teenagers in Trinidad

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To examine association between obesity and lung function among teenagers in Trinidad. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This study is part of an ongoing five-year cohort study in which five schools in the St.George East educational district of Trinidad were selected and students entering form one were followed up to form three (2012 to 2015). A questionnaire was completed on previous pulmonary disorders, eating and exercise habits along with demographic data. Data were available on 584 male students and 502 female students for three years. Descriptive analyses were performed according to year. General linear model analyses were performed to determine relationship of lung function variable ratio (forcedexpiratory volume in 1st second/forced vital capacity[FEV1/FVC]) to independent variables. RESULTS: Analysis of variance, according to year, showed that among the male students, FEV1, FVC, forced expiratory flow (FEF), peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR)in L/min, waist circumference, diastolic and systolic blood pressure, age and FEV1/FVC (%) were significant,whereas moderate exercise, FEV1, FVC, FEF, PEFR, age and FEV1/FVC (%) were significant in female students. The mean (year of study) PEFR in males were 285 (1), 302(2) and 384 (3). The mean (year of study) PEFR in females were 273 (1), 278 (2) and 338 (3). General linear model analysis showed PEFR to be a common significant factor for FEV1/FVC in both male and female students. In addition to PEFR, age, body mass index (BMI)-for-age-Zscore, ethnicity and interaction of religion and ethnicity were also significant among females. CONCLUSION: Based on results, BMI-for-age-Z-score issignificantly associated with FEV1/FVC in female students, but not in male students.