The effects of obesity on pulmonary function in children
Courtney Durbin1, Robin Egan, Kristin Gervasi
1Courtney Durbin practices emergency medicine at CaroMont Regional Medical Center in Gastonia, N.C. Robin Egan practices emergency medicine at Louisiana State University Shreveport. Kristin Gervasi practices interventional cardiology at New York Presbyterian-Columbia Medical Center in New York, N.Y. Nicole Nadeau practices emergency medicine at Moses H. Cone Memorial Hospital in Greensboro, N.C. Emily Neal practices orthopedic surgery at the Steadman Clinic in Vail, Co. In the PA program at Wake Forest School of Medicine in Winston-Salem, N.C., Suzanne Reich is an associate professor and program director, and Tanya Gregory is an assistant professor. The authors have disclosed no potential conflicts of interest, financial or otherwise.
Abstract:
The prevalence of obesity has risen rapidly in the United States in the past 20 years. Up to 25% of US children are obese, and obesity can be directly correlated with immediate and long-term health consequences. Pediatric obesity can harm multiple body systems and is a public health issue. This article focuses on how obesity affects a child's respiratory system, including pulmonary function, exercise intolerance, gas exchange, and airway musculature.
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