Journal of AdvancedMedical and Dental Sciences Research

Background: Obesity measured by BMI results in decreasing the lung volume and its capacities by affecting both lung and chest wall compliance and may lead to obstructive lung disease. Pulmonary function tests, specially FEV1/FVC can easily detect the obstructive lung disease. Aim: Evaluation of any correlation between BMI, FEV1, FVC and FEV1/FVC in young subjects. Methods & Materials: A total of 150 M.B.B.S first year students between the age group of 17 to 25 years and without a history of smoking, family history of hypertension, diabetes mellitus and tuberculosis were taken for the study. BMI of all subjects was calculated by measuring weight and height and then divided in to three groups as underweight, normal weight and overweight. Pulmonary function tests were performed in all subjects to evaluate FEV1, FVC and FEV1/FVC. Finally all these parameters were analysed to find any correlation. Statistical analysis used; The data was analyzed by using the SPSS version 10 [Statistical Package for Social Sciences] statistical software, ANOVA correlations and Pearson Correlation Coefficient (r value). Results: There was a significant difference between the BMI, FVC, FEV1 and FEV1/FVC values across the three groups. In the overweight group, BMI showed a significant negative correlation with the FVC, FEV1 and the FEV1/FVC although a weakly positive correlation was found in underweight and normal weight group. Conclusion: BMI was found to inversely correlated with FVC, FEV1 and the FEV1/FVC which implies that obesity was associated with decrease in pulmonary functions and thus BMI can be used as an indicator of obstructive lung disease. Keywords: BMI, FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC, Obstructive lung disease