Assessment of lung age and body mass index in young health care workers – A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Lung Age; Body Mass Index; Obesity; Spirometry INTRODUCTION Obesity can be defined as "an abnormal growth of the adipose tissue due to an enlargement of fat cell size or an increase in fat cell number." [11] Studies show that presence of higher levels of oxidative stress in obese subjects is responsible for increased development of organic lesion and changes in airways, along with a decrease in lung function. Several abnormalities of respiratory system such as reduced compliance of chest wall, increase in work of breathing, minute ventilation, and decrease in functional residual capacity, along with expiratory reserve volume, have strong association with obesity. International Agency for Research on Cancer, IARC Handbooks of cancer Prevention Weight Control and Physical Activity.