Relationship between body composition and pulmonary function in the general population-a cross-sectional study in...

Area of Science:

• Physiology
• Public Health
• Anthropometry

Background:

• Limited research exists on the connection between non-obesity-related body composition and lung function.
• Understanding these relationships is crucial for public health initiatives and clinical practice.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the correlations between various body composition metrics and lung function.
• To determine the effects of body composition on lung function decline.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 776 adults aged 30-75 years in China.
• Body composition was assessed using direct segmental multifrequency bioelectrical impedance analysis.
• Lung function was measured using a digital spirometer, with analysis via partial correlation and logistic regression.

Main Results:

• Positive correlations were observed between pulmonary function and total body water, protein, mineral, muscle mass, fat-free mass (FFM), skeletal muscle mass, basal metabolic volume, and chest circumference (CC) in both sexes.
• Neck and hip circumference positively correlated with lung function in women.
• Increased waist circumference was identified as a risk factor for reduced lung function, while higher CC and being female were protective factors against lung function decline.

Conclusions:

• FFM and its components, excluding fat-related measures, are positively associated with better lung function.
• Abdominal obesity, indicated by increased waist circumference, significantly increases the risk of decreased lung function.
• Specific body composition metrics offer protective benefits against lung function decline, particularly in women.