Anthropometric determinants of lung function in apparently healthy individuals.
Michael O Ogunlana, Olufemi O Oyewole, Adetutu I Lateef and 1 others
PMID 33604480WHAT IT FOUND
Lung volumes were larger in men and in people with more muscle mass, but smaller with age and central abdominal fat.
The ratio of forced expiratory volume to vital capacity showed no gender difference, though it was lower with greater abdominal fat.
Key findings
01Male participants had significantly higher forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in one second, and peak expiratory flow rates than female participants.
02Free fat mass showed a moderate positive correlation with forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume in one second, while fat mass showed a negative correlation with most lung function variables.
03Sagittal abdominal diameter and free fat mass were significant predictors of peak expiratory flow rate, with sagittal abdominal diameter having a negative effect.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTs
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What it does not show
The study used a cross-sectional design, so it cannot prove that changes in body composition cause changes in lung function. Participants were healthy civil servants, which limits generalisability to those with respiratory disease or different occupational profiles. The correlations between many anthropometric measures and lung function were weak or low, meaning body size alone explains only a small part of lung function variation.
Declared interests
No conflicts of interest or funding sources were reported in the provided text.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume that BMI is a strong predictor of lung function in this population. The study found weak or no significant correlations between BMI and most lung variables, whereas sagittal abdominal diameter and free fat mass were more specific predictors.