A Comparative Study Of Pulmonary Function Tests In Obese & Non Obese Students In The Age Group Of 18-25 Years

Abstract

Background & objective: A study was conducted to determine the effect of obesity on pulmonary functions and to compare the same between obese and non obese students in the age group of 18-25 years. Material & methods: A cross sectional study was conducted on obese (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2) male (n=32) and female (n=18) students aged 18-25 years and compared with age matched non-obese (BMI 18.5–24.99 Kg/m2) male (n=23) and female subjects (n=27) as control. Detailed anthropometric and physiological data were collected. Pulmonary functions were recorded by using Computerized Spiro excel. Parameters recorded were Forced Vital Capacity (FVC in ml), Forced Expiratory Volume in 1st sec (FEV1 in ml), FEV1 %, Peak Expiratory Flow Rate [PEFR in L/min was recorded by mini Wright’s Peak flow meter] and Maximum Expiratory Pressure [MEP in mmHg was recorded by Modified Black’s apparatus]. Statistical analysis was done by calculating MeanSD by using student’s t test. Correlation between degree of obesity and pulmonary functions was done by Pearson’s correlation Results: Systolic Blood Pressure, Diastolic Blood Pressure, Pulse Rate and Respiratory Rate were significantly higher in obese students when compared to their respective control. We observed highly significant reduction in PEFR (p<0.001) and MEP IX (p<0.001) in both obese male and female subjects compared to control. FEV1% was significantly lower in obese female students. In present study, FVC and FEV1 were negatively correlated with adiposity markers (BMI, WC, WHR, WHtR, Body fat %). WC {FVC (r = -0.253, p< 0.01), FEV1 (r = -0.236, p < 0.05)}, WHtR {FVC(r = -0.357, p< 0.001) and FEV1 (r = 0.319, p < 0.01)} were statistically significant with FVC. Significant negative correlation of PEFR and MEP was observed with all adiposity markers. Interpretation & conclusion: The study concludes that all the respiratory parameters were significantly reduced in obese subjects compared to non-obese subjects. Obesity and pattern of fat distribution have independent effect on pulmonary function