Adiposity and Pulmonary Function: Analysis of the Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS)

Adiposity has been linked to impaired respiratory function in adults but whether the distribution of adipose tissue has a differential effect on pulmonary function is still uncertain. Moreover, in children, the relationship between adiposity and lung dysfunction is not clearly understood. A two-stage multivariate analysis was conducted using data from 5604 Canadians aged 6 to 79 years who participated in the Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS). The associations of various anthropometric and skinfold measures with lung function were examined separately in adults and children. After adjustment of covariates, waist circumference and subscapular skinfold thickness showed the strongest inverse associations with FVC and FEV1 in men. In women, BMI and sum of five skinfolds had the largest impact on pulmonary function. FVC and FEV1 in boys were most affected by waist-to-hip ratio and triceps skinfold. In girls, adiposity was not linked to the lung function testing variables. Adiposity measures have differing effects on respiratory function depending on age and sex group.