Relationship between Body Composition and Pulmonary Function in Early Adult Life: A Cross-Sectional Analysis Nested in Two Birth Cohort Studies

Paula Duarte De Oliveira,Fernando C Barros,Rogelio Pérez-Padilla,Helen Gonçalves,Fernando C Wehrmeister,Maria Cecília F Assunção,Ana Maria Baptista Menezes,Bernardo Lessa Horta,Denise P Gigante,C Mary Schooling

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0163428

Paula Duarte De Oliveira, Fernando C Barros + Show 8 more

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https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0163428

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Abstract

BackgroundOverweight/obesity has been reported to worsen pulmonary function (PF). This study aimed to examine the association between PF and several body composition (BC) measures in two population-based cohorts.MethodsWe performed a cross-sectional analysis of individuals aged 18 and 30 years from two Pelotas Birth Cohorts in southern Brazil. PF was assessed by spirometry. Body measures that were collected included body mass index, waist circumference, skinfold thickness, percentages of total and segmented (trunk, arms and legs) fat mass (FM) and total fat-free mass (FFM). FM and FFM were measured by air-displacement plethysmography (BODPOD) and by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Associations were verified through linear regressions stratified by sex, and adjusted for weight, height, skin color, and socioeconomic, behavioral, and perinatal variables.ResultsA total of 7347 individuals were included in the analyses (3438 and 3909 at 30 and 18 years, respectively). Most BC measures showed a significant positive association between PF and FFM, and a negative association with FM. For each additional percentage point of FM, measured by BOD POD, the forced vital capacity regression coefficient adjusted by height, weight and skin color, at 18 years, was −33 mL (95% CI −38, −29) and −26 mL (95% CI −30, −22), and −30 mL (95% CI −35, −25) and −19 mL (95% CI −23, −14) at 30 years, in men and women, respectively. All the BOD POD regression coefficients for FFM were the same as for the FM coefficients, but in a positive trend (p<0.001 for all associations).ConclusionsAll measures that distinguish FM from FFM (skinfold thickness–FM estimation–BOD POD, total and segmental DXA measures–FM and FFM proportions) showed negative trends in the association of FM with PF for both ages and sexes. On the other hand, FFM showed a positive association with PF.

Highlights

Overweight/obesity is a growing risk factor in most countries worldwide [1]
fat mass (FM) and fat-free mass (FFM) were measured by air-displacement plethysmography (BODPOD) and by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA)
For each additional percentage point of FM, measured by BOD POD, the forced vital capacity regression coefficient adjusted by height, weight and skin color, at 18 years, was −33 mL and −26 mL, and −30 mL and −19 mL at 30 years, in men and women, respectively

Summary

Introduction

Overweight/obesity is a growing risk factor in most countries worldwide [1] This condition has been reported as an aggravating factor for many respiratory diseases or symptoms, such as obstructive sleep apnea, asthma, and dyspnea on effort, among others [2, 3]. Many studies have shown that obesity is associated to lower pulmonary function (PF) measures, even in non-diseased individuals [4, 5]. These findings have been attributed to the restriction and load imposed by excess fat mass (FM) on ventilatory mechanics [6, 7]. This study aimed to examine the association between PF and several body composition (BC) measures in two population-based cohorts

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