Association between peak expiratory flow rate and anthropometric obesity markers in young Bengali adults: A cross- sectional study

Objective: Modern lifestyle has resulted in an increased prevalence of cardiorespiratory diseases including hypertension and asthma along with being overweight or obese. The aims of this study were to evaluate the association between overall and abdominal obesity markers with peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) among young adults.  
Methods: The present cross-sectional study was conducted among college students aged 20-23 years from co-education colleges in West Bengal, India. Body mass index (BMI) which is considered as overall obesity indices was calculated from measured height and weight. Waist circumference (WC) a known central or abdominal obesity marker was measured.  PEFR of all participants were estimated using Wright’s peak flow meter. Pearson’s correlation coefficient was used to determine the relationship between PEFR and obesity indices. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: PEFR of male participants was significantly (p < 0.001) higher in compare with female counterpart. Higher PEFR in male than female might be due to their greater height (167.06 + 5.91 cm) in comparison with female (154.50 + 5.72cm). PEFR was higher in normal weight group than either overweight or underweight group of participants irrespective to gender. Like body weight status central obesity affects PEFR. PEFR was significantly lower in centrally obese young males and females in respect to non-obese counterpart. Negative correlation was observed between PEFR with BMI and WC.  PEFR increased with increasing BMI and WC up to a certain point and decrease thereafter. 
Conclusion: Results of this study suggested significant association of PEFR with overall obesity as well as abdominal obesity markers.  Maintaining a BMI in the range of 20.5-22.4 kg/m2, waist circumference in the range of 71-75 cm for female and 76-80 cm for male participants is suggested for optimal pulmonary ventilation like PEFR.