European Journal of Cardiovascular Medicine

Background: Obesity is a complex, multi-factorial, chronic condition that is associated with mortality and significant morbidity and is prevalent worldwide. The prevalence of obesity is increasing to very rapid proportions at an alarming rate in both developed and under developed countries around the world. An increase in the prevalence of obesity in young adults has been seen around the world. Body mass index (BMI; in kg/m2) is widely used for the classification of overweight (BMI 25-30 kg/m2) and obesity (BMI > 30 kg/m2) in men and women. BMI correlates reasonably well with laboratory-based measures of adiposity, and is extremely practical in most clinical settings for population studies. Multiple measures of adiposity showed a significant inverse relationship with both static lung volumes and spirometry. In adults, pulmonary function abnormalities are well reported complications of obesity; the most frequently reported abnormalities are decrease in lung volumes and expiratory flow rates. The aim of the study is to determine the effect of obesity on pulmonary function abnormality in young adults in our population. Materials and methods: A cross sectional study was conducted at Department of Anesthesia & ICU and Health sciences center Kuwait over a period of 1 year. A total of 20 normal, 20 overweight and 20 obese participants, aged between 18 to 40 years were included in the study. BMI was calculated by measuring weight and height by BMI scale (RGZ-160) in standing position. Pulmonary parameters were determined by spirometry onPower lab. Pulmonary parameters were compared between subjects in different categories of BMI. Result: Age, height, weight & BMI were significantly different among overweight, obese and normal weight group. The mean age of overweight, obese and normal subjects was 17.07±4.35, 33.08±0.99, and 17.07±2.28 years with a range from 18-25 years. The mean height of overweight, obese and normal weight group was 167.19±7.25, 166.5±6.49 and 174.7±8.08 cm respectively. The mean weight of overweight, obese and normal group was 74.8±7.45, 85.8±6.44 and 64.7±9.75 kg respectively. The mean BMI of overweight, obese and normal weight group was 28.59±2.35, 33.08±0.99 and 23.85±2.64 kg/m2 respectively. The observed values of various lung function parameters are provided in Table-2. In overweight & obese groups FVC, FEV1 and PEFR were decreased significantly (P<0.05). FEV1/FVC ratio was not significant in overweight, obese and normal weight subject as p > 0.05. Conclusion: Obesity influences the respiratory function enhancing dyspnoea and increasing both cardiac load and respiratory muscle fatigue of the thoracic wall and the diaphragm due to the higher pressure exerted by intrabdominal adipose accumulation. In our study the results showed that increase in BMI had an inverse relationship with FVC, FEV1 and PEFR in obese when compared to the normal weight subjects.