Influence of Anthropometric Indices on Pulmonary Function Tests in Young Individuals

Pulmonary functions vary in healthy people and are greatly influenced by individual weight, height, age, sex, race, nutrition, body surface area and environmental factors. Most of the epidemiological studies have considered age, sex and height as major predictors of pulmonary functions. The influence of various other anthropometric measurements like body mass index and waist circumference on pulmonary function tests has received less attention, particularly in younger age group. Hence the present study aimed to study the influence of anthropometric indices on pulmonary function tests in young individuals. 100 subjects (50 males and 50 females) in the age group of 18-21 years were recruited for the study. They were divided into subgroups based on their body mass index and waist circumference. Vital capacity (VC), Forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in first second (FEV ), FEV / FVC ratio (FEV %) and peak expiratory flow rate (PEF) were 1 1 1 measured using computerized spirometer. All the respiratory parameters other than FEV % were significantly 1 (p < 0.001) lowered in underweight, overweight and obese individuals compared to the individuals with normal body mass index. Similarly individuals with higher waist circumferences showed significantly (p < 0.001) lower values of respiratory parameters compared to the individuals with normal waist circumferences. All the respiratory parameters showed a negative correlation with body mass index and waist circumference above normal values. However a positive correlation was observed with waist circumference within normal limits. Hence body mass index and waist circumference do significantly influence the pulmonary function and therefore can be suggested for use in prediction equations for pulmonary functions.