Abstract

Background: Obesity is an emerging problem especially among adolescents due to their lifestyle changes related to low level of physical activity and high calorie diet. Excess adipose tissue is often associated with respiratory abnormalities such as reduction in lung volumes, capacities and expiratory flow rates. So there is a need to assess the pulmonary functions and to create awareness among adolescents regarding the drawbacks of obesity in adolescents as this is the high risk period for the onset of obesity which predict BMI in adulthood. Objectives: To compare lung function parameters FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC, PEFR, FEF25-75% of obese adolescents with those of non obese adolescents. Materials and Method: Study included 80 obese adolescents as cases and 80 non obese adolescents as controls in the age group of 10-19 years, which was further subdivided into 10-14 years and 15-19 years. Pulmonary function tests of each subject were recorded using a Spirothor Wavefront Hand held Spirometer. The results were compiled and statistically analyzed for significant differences. Results: It was found that the following PFT parameters FVC, FEV1, PEFR and FEF 25-75% were significantly reduced in obese adolescents in comparison with non obese adolescents in both the age groups i.e. 10-14 years and 15-19 years. Conclusion: Results of the study conclude that obese adolescents have a significantly lower pulmonary function in comparison with non-obese adolescents.

Authors and Affiliations