Association between anthropometric markers and asthma control, quality of life and pulmonary function in adults with asthma

Asthma and its relationship with anthropometric markers among adults

BACKGROUND

Many studies have examined the association between anthropometric indicators and the likelihood of developing asthma. However, no study has yet examined the link between asthma and anthropometric markers of risk. This study addresses this gap in the literature by evaluating the relationship between asthma, smoking, and anthropometric measurements such as body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), hip circumference (HC), and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) among individuals residing in the United States.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study conducted a secondary analysis of the 2011-2014 National Survey of Midlife Development in the United States, using data from 2,257 participants aged 25-74. We classified the participants into four groups based on self-reported smoking and asthma status: nonsmokers with no asthma, asthma alone, smokers only, and smokers with asthma. The outcomes of interest were BMI, WC, HC, and WHR scores in the latter three groups compared to the nonsmokers with no asthma group.

RESULTS

Linear regression analysis showed that those with asthma alone and smokers with asthma were significantly more likely to have a BMI, WC, or HC score of 1 or higher than people without asthma and smokers only.

CONCLUSION

A higher score on the anthropometric parameters was substantially related to participants who had only asthma and those who had both asthma and smoking.

Association Between Body Composition and Pulmonary Function Tests Among Health Care Workers in Iran

Background:

Why is bodyweight not a predictor of lung function, while height, sex, race, and age are predictors of lung capacity and function? In this study, we want to investigate the association between body composition and pulmonary function. And, as much as possible, answer the question of why bodyweight is not predictive of lung function.

Methods:

This cross-sectional study was performed among 2967 employees of Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS) who participated in the TUMS Employees Cohort (TEC) study. The body composition of the participants was measured using the Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) method. Anthropometric variables were also measured as a confounder. The pulmonary function of participants was assessed by a forced spirometry test.

Results:

The correlation of BIA values including fat-free mass and total body water with a pulmonary function such as FEV1, FVC, and FEF25-75is higher than most anthropometric values such as weight, wrist circumference, and the waist to hip ratio. Also, in regression analysis, age and sex had an association with pulmonary function, but the weight did not show a significant relationship. On the other hand, fat-free mass and visceral fat were significantly associated with pulmonary function. One is direct and the other is inverse.

Conclusion:

We observed a negative association between visceral fat and pulmonary function tests and a direct association between Fat-free mass pulmonary function tests (FEV1 and FVC) adjusted for age, sex, and anthropometric indices.