The Association Between BMI and Cardiorespiratory Functions Among Medical Students at Northern Border University

Area of Science:

• Cardiorespiratory Physiology
• Public Health
• Medical Education

Background:

• Cardiorespiratory function is a critical indicator of overall health.
• Understanding the link between Body Mass Index (BMI) and cardiorespiratory health is vital for developing obesity interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between Body Mass Index (BMI) and cardiorespiratory parameters.
• To assess these correlations specifically within the medical student population at Northern Border University.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study design was employed.
• Measurements included Body Mass Index (BMI), blood pressure (BP), respiratory rate (RR), heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure (MAP), and pulse pressure (PP).
• The study population comprised medical students at Northern Border University, Saudi Arabia.

Main Results:

• Approximately 40% of the participating students were identified as overweight or obese.
• A significant positive correlation was observed between Body Mass Index (BMI) and blood pressure (BP).
• Body Mass Index (BMI) showed a significant positive correlation with respiratory rate (RR), tidal volume (TV), and mean arterial pressure (MAP).

Conclusions:

• The study confirms a significant positive correlation between Body Mass Index (BMI) and key cardiorespiratory indicators.
• Elevated BMI is associated with increased blood pressure, respiratory rate, tidal volume, and mean arterial pressure in this cohort.
• Findings underscore the impact of weight status on cardiorespiratory health among young adults.