Correlation of body mass index and waist circumference with pulmonary function test parameters in adults: a cross-sectional observational study.
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51168/sjhrafrica.v7i2.2650Keywords:
body mass index, waist circumference, pulmonary function test, spirometry, obesity, adultsAbstract
Background:
Excess adiposity, particularly central obesity, alters respiratory mechanics and can adversely influence spirometric performance. Although body mass index [BMI] is widely used to characterize obesity, waist circumference more directly reflects abdominal fat distribution.
Objectives:
To evaluate the association of BMI and waist circumference with pulmonary function test [PFT] parameters in adults and to compare the relative strength of these anthropometric indices with spirometric measurements.
Methods:
This cross-sectional observational study was conducted in the Department of Physiology, Jaipur National University Institute for Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India, from August 2025 to April 2026. One hundred adults were enrolled. BMI and waist circumference were recorded using standard methods. Spirometry was performed under standardized conditions, and forced vital capacity [FVC], forced expiratory volume in one second [FEV1], FEV1/FVC ratio, peak expiratory flow rate [PEFR], and forced expiratory flow at 25%-75% [FEF25-75] were analyzed.
Results:
The mean age of participants was 38.9 ± 11.6 years. The mean BMI was 26.3 ± 4.8 kg/m², and the mean waist circumference was 91.6 ± 10.9 cm. Pulmonary function declined progressively with increasing BMI. Participants with elevated waist circumference also showed lower FVC, FEV1, PEFR, and FEF25-75 values. BMI demonstrated significant negative correlations with FVC, FEV1, PEFR, and FEF25-75, while waist circumference showed slightly stronger inverse correlations. The FEV1/FVC ratio was not significantly associated with either anthropometric measure.
Conclusion:
Both generalized obesity and central obesity were associated with lower pulmonary function values in adults. Waist circumference appeared to be a stronger correlate of spirometric impairment than BMI.
Recommendations:
Routine assessment of BMI and waist circumference during adult health evaluation can assist in early identification of individuals at risk of reduced pulmonary function and can support timely lifestyle intervention.
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