Abstract
BackgroundThe excess adiposity, even in the absence of diseases, is responsible for a decline in pulmonary function, which is considered a predictor of mortality and a risk factor for diseases in several epidemiological studies. However, studies on the association between obesity and pulmonary function have found only few associations or inconclusive results. The aim of the study is to evaluate the association between body composition and spirometric parameters, comparing simple obesity measures such as body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference with more precise body composition measurements such as dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and air-displacement plethysmography (BOD POD).MethodsThis is an observational, cross-sectional study that used data from the 1978/79 Ribeirão Preto birth cohort (São Paulo, Brazil). The study included 1746 participants from the 5th follow-up of the cohort. Linear regressions were calculated to evaluate the association between BMI, waist circumference, waist–height ratio (WHtR), BOD POD- and DXA-measured fat mass percentage, and spirometric parameters FEV1, and FVC.ResultsFor every 1-kg/m2 BMI increase, FVC decreased by 13 ml in males and by 6 ml in females and FEV1 decreased by 11 ml and 5 ml, respectively. Regarding body composition measurements, for a 1% increase in fat mass assessed by BOD POD, FVC decreased by 16 ml in males and by 8 ml in females and FEV1 decreased by 13 ml and 7 ml, respectively. Hence, negative associations between body measurements and FEV1 and FVC were observed in both genders, especially when using the fat mass measurement and were more expressive in men. ConclusionThe anthropometric and body composition parameters were negatively associated with the spirometric variables FVC and FEV1. We have also observed that simple measures such as waist-height ratio were sufficient to detect the association of body composition with pulmonary function reduction.
Highlights
The excess adiposity, even in the absence of diseases, is responsible for a decline in pulmonary function, which is considered a predictor of mortality and a risk factor for diseases in several epidemiological studies
This study found a negative association of anthropometric (BMI and waist–height ratio (WHtR)) and body composition parameters (DXA- and BOD Air-displacement plethysmography (POD)-measured fat mass) with pulmonary function assessed by Forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC) in both genders, in men
Regarding the body composition parameters, for every 1% increase in BOD POD-measured fat mass, FVC decreased by 15 ml in men and by 8 ml in women and FEV1 decreased by 12 ml and 6 ml, respectively
Summary
The excess adiposity, even in the absence of diseases, is responsible for a decline in pulmonary function, which is considered a predictor of mortality and a risk factor for diseases in several epidemiological studies. Excess adiposity is known to interfere with the respiratory system through different mechanisms, including altered respiratory mechanics and pulmonary inflammation. Recent studies have demonstrated the influence of adipose tissue on the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines and on changes in the pulmonary immune system [12−16]. These effects are reflected in altered pulmonary function tests, including a reduction in functional residual capacity, expiratory reserve volume, forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), and forced vital capacity (FVC) [17, 18]
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