Obesity and lung function: a systematic review.

Luciana Costa Melo,Maria Alayde Mendonça Da Silva,Ana Carolina Do Nascimento Calles

doi:10.1590/s1679-45082014rw2691

Luciana Costa Melo, Maria Alayde Mendonça Da Silva + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/s1679-45082014rw2691

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Abstract

ABSTRACTObesity is a chronic disease characterized by the excessive accumulation of body fat that is harmful to the individuals. Respiratory disorders are among the comorbidities associated with obesity. This study had the objective of investigating the alterations in respiratory function that affect obese individuals. A systematic review was performed, by selecting publications in the science databases MEDLINE and LILACS, using PubMed and SciELO. The articles that assessed pulmonary function by plethysmography and/or spirometry in obese individuals aged under 18 years were included. The results demonstrated that the obese individuals presented with a reduction in lung volume and capacity as compared to healthy individuals. Reduction of total lung capacity and reduction of forced vital capacity, accompanied by reduction of the forced expiratory volume after one second were the most representative findings in the samples. The articles analyzed proved the presence of a restrictive respiratory pattern associated with obesity.

Highlights

Obesity is a chronic disease characterized by excessive accumulation of body fat that is harmful to individuals.(1) According to the World Health Organization,(2) obesity has reached epidemic proportions, affecting people of all ages and social classes in the world
Obese individuals were considered as those with a body mass index (BMI) >30kg/m2 and overweight people as those with BMI ≥25kg/m2.(7) As variables for the lung function evaluations, we searched for lung volumes and capacities: total lung capacity (TLC), vital capacity (VC), forced vital capacity (FVC), residual functional capacity (RFC), forced expiratory volume after 1 second (FEV1), inspiratory reserve volume (IRV), tidal volume (TV), expiratory reserve volume (ERV), and residual volume (RV)
An efficient form to evaluate lung function is by determining lung volumes, which offer information essential for the characterization of the pathophysiological state resulting from abnormalities in the pulmonary-ventilatory processes.(18) The most accurate techniques for determining lung volumes are spirometry and plethysmography.(19) Castrejón Vázquez et al(20) carried out a comparative study between the two techniques and observed that both provided similar results, despite the fact that plethysmography shows greater sensitivity

Summary

Introduction

Obesity is a chronic disease characterized by excessive accumulation of body fat that is harmful to individuals.(1) According to the World Health Organization,(2) obesity has reached epidemic proportions, affecting people of all ages and social classes in the world. Structural changes of the thoracic-abdominal region lead to limited diaphragm mobility and rib movement, both essential for appropriate ventilatory mechanics. One must point out that excess body fat is classified in categories according to its severity (mild, moderate, or severe) or the type of distribution of this fat (gynoid or android). In this way, there are several phenotypes of obesity.(4) The studies published so far investigated the lung function of individuals with different degrees of obesity and assessed lung volumes and capacities in an individual manner. It should be possible to direct the appropriate care for the this population

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