1Associate Professor of Physiology, Vijayanagar Institute of Medical Sciences, Ballari, Karnataka
2Assistant Professor of Physiology, Bangalore Medical College & Research Institute, Bengaluru, Karnataka
3Postgraduate and Tutor, Department of Physiology, Bangalore Medical College & Research Institute, Bengaluru, Karnataka
Relationship between lung function and body mass index has been debated. Also, the above parameters have not been studied well in the underweight and pre-obese population. Hence a study was undertaken to explore a possible correlation between body mass index with pulmonary function.
200 healthy adult non-smoker males in the age group of 18 to 30 years underwent computerized spirometry. subjects were grouped into underweight, normal, overweight and obese based on BMI using standard WHO classification. Results were compared across the groups.
It was found that subjects falling in ‘normal’ BMI range had better lung function in terms of FVC, FEV1, PEF and MVV, than underweight, overweight and obese subjects. The difference was statistically significant.
Body Mass Index, Underweight, Obese, Lung functions, Spirometry, FEV1, FVC, PEF, MVV
