Various modulating factors have been shown to affect postnatal lung growth and development in humans and other mammalian species. Therefore, normative pulmonary function data should ideally indicate the environmental conditions of life. This paper will review current knowledge on the effects of nutrition, growth hormone disturbances, training and altitude on lung volumes in children and adults. Furthermore, the impact of sleep states on lung volumes is considered. The present review is a background paper of a consensus document on measurements of lung volumes in humans.
Effect of nutrition on lung volumesOur knowledge of the effect of disturbances in nutrition, either inadequate nutrition or overnutrition, on lung growth has been provided mainly by animal studies.
Inadequate nutrition and lung growth in animals