Nonlinear relationship between visceral adiposity index and lung function: a population-based study

Yide Wang,Zheng Li,Fengsen Li

doi:10.1186/s12931-021-01751-7

Abstract

BackgroundAs one of the critical indicators of obesity, the interaction between visceral fat content and lung disease is the focus of current research. However, the exact relationship between Visceral adipose index (VAI) and lung function is not fully understood. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between VAI and lung function,MethodsOur study included all participants from the baseline survey population in Xinjiang in the Natural Population Cohort Study in Northwest China. A field survey was conducted in rural areas of Moyu County, Xinjiang, China, between 35 and 74 years old from June to December 2018. We collected standard questionnaires and completed physical examinations, visceral fat tests, and lung function measurements.ResultsThe study included 2367 participants with a mean VAI of 10.35 ± 4.35, with males having a significantly higher VAI than females: 13.17 ± 3.91 vs. 7.58 ± 2.65. The piecewise linear spline models indicated a significant threshold effect between lung function and VAI in the general population and the males population, showing an inverted U-shaped curve. But there was no significant association between VAI and lung function in females. FEV1% predicted and FVC% predicted increased with the increase of VAI (β 0.76; 95% CI 0.30, 1.21) and (β 0.50; 95% CI 0.06, 0.94) in males with VAI ≤ 14, while FEV1% predicted and FVC% predicted decreased with the increase of VAI (β − 1.17; 95% CI − 1.90, − 0.45) and (β − 1.36; 95% CI − 2.08, − 0.64) in males with VAI ≥ 15.ConclusionsThe relationship between lung function and VAI in male participants showed an inverted U-shaped curve, with the turning point of VAI between 14 and 15. The association between visceral fat and lung function was more robust in males than in females.

Highlights

As one of the critical indicators of obesity, the interaction between visceral fat content and lung disease is the focus of current research
Study population This study is a branch of the “Natural Population Cohort Study in Northwest China” project
The Forced vital capacity (FVC)% predicted for male lung function was lower, 97.47 ± 19.38% and 95.63 ± 19.80%, respectively

Summary

Introduction

As one of the critical indicators of obesity, the interaction between visceral fat content and lung disease is the focus of current research. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between VAI and lung function, Methods: Our study included all participants from the baseline survey population in Xinjiang in the Natural Population Cohort Study in Northwest China. Obesity is a chronic metabolic disease with excessive accumulation or abnormal distribution of total or local fat content in the body [1]. Obesity significantly increases susceptibility to respiratory disease than healthy controls. It is one of the critical factors contributing to respiratory diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma and pulmonary hypertension [4,5,6]. Most studies believe that obesity-related indicators are negatively correlated with lung function changes [7, 8]

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