Comparative evaluation and correlation of abdominal obesity and body mass index with forced vital capacity

Background and objectives: Obesity is a major cardiovascular risk factor and a well recognized cause of lung function deterioration. Obesity has effects on lung function that can reduce respiratory well being, even in the absence of specific respiratory disease, and may also exaggerate existing airway disease. There is good evidence that abdominal obesity is important in the development of insulin resistance and in the metabolic syndrome (hyperinsulinemia, dyslipidemia, glucose intolerance, and hypertension) that link obesity with CHD. Cardiovascular mortality and impairment of pulmonary function is closely correlated. Because BMI does not take into account the distribution of body fat it may not be an ideal index of obesity in prediction of pulmonary function. The aim of this study was to observe and compare the effect of abdominal obesity and BMI(body mass index) on FVC(forced vital capacity), which is an important parameter of pulmonary function. Methods: The study was conducted by cross sectional survey of 80 people aged 30-65 years from Patna district. Data was obtained about their age, height and weight. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated using height and weight. Abdominal circumference (AC) was measured using a measuring tape. The subjects were divided into two groups. Group A (n=40) with AC < 110 cm and Group B (n=40) with AC ≥ 110 cm. Forced vital capacity (FVC) off all 80 subjects was measured using a manual spirometer. FVC values of both the study groups wee compared. Results: Statistical analysis was done by student ‘t’ test using graphpad software. Significant decrease in FVC was observed in Group B (P <0.5). These findings are comparable to the results of earlier studies by Ligion Huang et al, journal of physiological antropology, june 2019 and C hoe et al, Journal ploskorea, 2018. Conclusion: Obesity, particularly abdominal obesity might be related to decreased lung function. Hence, efforts to specifically decrease visceral adipose tissue could go a long way in maintaining healthy lung functions despite ageing.