Effect of body mass index (BMI) on pulmonary functions in children of 6-14 years of age: A cross-sectional study

• Published in: Journal of family medicine and primary care 2022-06, Vol.11 (6), p.3156-3160
• Main Authors: Satapathy, Amit, Das, Rashmi, Mahapatro, Samarendra, Panigrahi, Manoj, Bandopadhaya, Debapriya
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: bmi; body mass index; children; obesity; Original; pft; pulmonary function test
• ISSN: 2249-4863; 2278-7135
• DOI: 10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_2002_21

Background: Over-weight/obesity is a new global pandemic affecting children with prevalence up to 36%. It is responsible for metabolic syndrome and its future complications in children; however, its effect on lung functions in children is not well studied. Aim: To compare lung function tests [forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1), FEV1/forced vital capacity (FVC), FVC, and % predicted] of children with over-weight/obesity to that of normal children. Method: it is a hospital-based cross-sectional study. Children of 6-14 years of age with over-weight [body mass index (BMI) >85th centile] and obesity (BMI >95th centile) attending the pediatrics outpatient department (OPD) were included. Age-matched children attending the OPD during the study period were selected as controls. Demographic and anthropometric details were collected, and pulmonary function tests were carried out in included children. Results: A total of 103 children were included (over-weight/obese = 56, control = 47). The percent predicted (%) FEV1 (86.23 ± 12.84 vs 91.77 ± 8.68) and FVC (81.93 ± 12.12 vs 88.62 ± 10.87) were significantly lower in the obese/over-weight group as compared to control group. A signification negative correlation was found between FEV1 (%) and FVC (%) and that of BMI and waist-hip ratio (WHR). Conclusions: Pulmonary functions (FEV1, FVC) are found to be negatively correlated with BMI and WHR.