Obesity negatively impacts lung function in children and adolescents
Warren J Davidson1, Kelly A Mackenzie-Rife, Manisha B Witmans
1Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
Pediatric Pulmonology
|October 30, 2013
Summary
Higher body mass index (BMI) in children and adolescents is linked to reduced lung volumes, including functional residual capacity (FRC) and expiratory reserve volume (ERV). This suggests potential impacts on overall lung function and respiratory health.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Respiratory Physiology
- Obesity Research
Background:
- Childhood obesity is a growing public health concern.
- Body mass index (BMI) is a key indicator of weight status.
- Lung volumes are crucial indicators of respiratory health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the association between weight status (BMI percentile and z-score) and lung volumes in healthy children and adolescents.
- To test the hypothesis that higher BMI is inversely related to functional residual capacity (FRC) and expiratory reserve volume (ERV).
- To compare FRC and ERV in obese versus non-obese children.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of pulmonary function test (PFT) records from 2000-2007 at two university children's hospitals.
- Inclusion of 327 healthy subjects meeting study criteria.
- Exclusion of individuals with cardiopulmonary, neuromuscular, or chest wall diseases.
Main Results:
- Obese children had the lowest percent predicted expiratory reserve volume (ERV) and highest FEV1/FVC ratio.
- Underweight participants showed lower percent predicted forced vital capacity (FVC) and vital capacity (VC).
- A negative linear relationship was observed between BMI z-score and percent predicted FRC, ERV, residual volume (RV), and absolute FEV1/FVC.
Conclusions:
- Increasing weight status in pediatric populations is associated with reduced lung volumes.
- These findings suggest potential for impaired lung function and increased respiratory symptoms in overweight and obese children.
- Weight status is an important factor to consider in the assessment of pediatric lung function.
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