1Assistant Professor, Dept. of Physiology, Sapthagiri Institute of Medical Sciences & Research Centre, Bengaluru
2Professor & Head, Dept of Physiology, M.S. Ramaiah Medical College, Bengaluru
3Tutor, Dept of Physiology, M.S. Ramaiah Medical College, Bengaluru
*Corresponding author: Venkatesh D, Senior Professor, Department of Physiology, M. S. Ramaiah Medical College, Bangalore, India. Email: venkatesh40@gmail.com. Phone: 09845938810
Online published on 9 September, 2013.
Obesity is a major health hazard in developed and developing countries. It is proved to be a co-morbid condition in various metabolic and cardiovascular disorders. Obesity offers mechanical obstruction to different movements of the body including that of the respiratory system. Hence, it is reasonable to hypothesize that obesity could adversely affect the lung functions. This study was undertaken to establish role of obesity in influencing the pulmonary functions.
Pulmonary functions FVC, FEV1 and PEF were evaluated in 20 obese (BMI of 33.04 ± 2.42) and 20 normal (BMI of 22.39 ± 1.65) male subjects in the age group of 40 to 60 years by using computerized spirometer in sitting position. Three recordings of pulmonary functions was done after giving sufficient trials to familiarize with the instrument. Best of the three readings were computed.
The percentage of predicted value of FVC, FEV1 and PEF in normal subjects were 94.82 ± 13.07, 96.62 ± 15.19, 91.49 ± 23.21 and the corresponding values for obese subjects were 84.45 ± 15.75, 89.35 ± 16.48, 81.14 ± 20.54. There was a moderate decline in FVC, FEV1 and PEF in obese subjects when compared to the normal individuals.
It can be concluded that obesity adversely affects the pulmonary functions by posing mechanical restriction to respiratory movements. Decline in pulmonary functions suggest a predominant restrictive and mild obstructive effect.
Pulmonary Function, Obesity, Restrictive Air Way Disease
