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Longitudinal changes of body mass index, spirometry and diffusion in a general population
M Bottai1, F Pistelli, F Di Pede
1CNUCE Institute of the National Research Council (CNR), Pisa, Italy. matteo.bottai@cnuce.cnr.it
The European Respiratory Journal
|October 3, 2002
Summary
Weight gain negatively impacts lung function (vital capacity, forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in one second) over time. However, weight loss can reverse these detrimental effects, improving lung health in adults.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Obesity is a growing public health concern with potential impacts on respiratory health.
- Longitudinal studies are crucial for understanding the relationship between body mass index (BMI) changes and lung function over time.
- Previous research has indicated a link between higher BMI and reduced lung function, but long-term effects in a general adult population require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between changes in body mass index (BMI) and longitudinal changes in key lung function indices (vital capacity, forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in one second, and carbon monoxide diffusing capacity) over an 8-year period.
- To assess sex-specific differences in the impact of BMI changes on lung function.
- To determine if weight loss can mitigate or reverse the negative effects of increased BMI on lung capacity.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 1,426 adults (>24 years) from North Italy with complete 8-year follow-up data was analyzed.
- Median linear regression models were used to assess the relationship between changes in BMI and changes in vital capacity (VC), forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), and carbon monoxide diffusing capacity (DL,CO).
- Analyses controlled for potential confounders and effect modifiers, with stratification by sex.
Main Results:
- Higher baseline BMI was associated with a greater extent of lung function loss over the 8-year follow-up.
- Males showed larger median reductions in FEV1 (20 mL per BMI unit increase) compared to females (16 mL per BMI unit increase).
- Increases in BMI did not significantly affect carbon monoxide diffusing capacity (DL,CO) in either sex, with a slight, non-significant increase observed.
Conclusions:
- Significant weight gain over an 8-year period is linked to a decline in lung function, particularly FEV1, with males experiencing greater losses.
- The detrimental effects of weight gain on lung function appear reversible, as individuals who reduced their BMI generally showed improved lung function.
- Overweight individuals with ventilatory impairment should be advised to pursue weight loss to enhance their respiratory capacity.