A Study of Correlation Between Body Mass Index and Mean Forced Expiratory Volume in First One Second (FEV1)
Adverse effects of obesity are well known on respiratory functions. These effects can be due to change in respiratory mechanics, decrease in respiratory muscle effectiveness, decrease in pulmonary gas exchange and restriction in pulmonary functions. Obesity may cause decrease in respiratory compliance due to mechanical factors such as increased weight on thoracic cage and abdomen due to presence of adipose tissues. Severe obesity may be a cause of pulmonary thromboembolism, obstructive sleep apnoea, obesity, hypoventilation syndrome and respiratory failure which are associated with substantial morbidity and increased mortality. Body Mass index (BMI) provides the most useful population level measure of overweight and obesity as it is same for both the genders and for all ages of individuals. Though, it should be considered as a vague guide because it may not correspond to the same degree of corpulence in the individuals of different age group. The present study was undertaken in department of Physiology in Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Medical College, Jabalpur MP. The subjects comprised of both male and female 50 individuals came to Physiology department for Pulmonary function test from other departments of the college. Tools used in present study were chi sqaure, t-test etc.