Body composition and respiratory function in healthy non‐obese children

Abstract

The present study confirms the negative effect of body fat on the PF of children and adolescents, even though obese subjects were excluded. The effect is different between boys and girls.

Does ethnicity influence lung function in preschool children?

“…Over the past four decades, numerous studies have attempted to quantify the impact of body proportions and ethnic differences on lung function. A recent study confirms the negative effect of body fat on lung function of children and adolescents [25]. Although many studies have improved the extent to which the variance in lung function between certain ethnic groups can be explained, some ethnic and sex-specific differences in lung function remained.…”

Obesity and asthma: An association modified by age

“…20 Some authors suggest that obesity restricts mechanical conditions of the respiratory system, reducing chest wall compliance, increasing respiratory effort, or altering lung elastic retraction. 21,22 Obesity also increases the prevalence of atopy, due to changes in cytokines, modification of lymphocyte activity, and favouring Th2 differentiation. 20,23 Another mechanism could be the increase in systemic inflammation, since adipose tissue can produce cytokines Table 3 Odds ratio for prevalence of asthma symptoms according to obesity and overweight in children and adolescents.…”

Obesity Does Not Increase the Risk of Asthma Readmissions

“…The reduction in FRC favours the increase in the BHR, one of the main characteristics of asthma [37]. Even in non-obese individuals, it is known that a greater fat-mass has a negative impact on lung function [60]. Another argument in favour of the relationship between obesity and a poor asthma prognosis is the favourable response to the weight loss, whether by diet and exercise or with bariatric surgery, with improvements in the asthma symptoms and lung function [61][62][63][64].…”