Abstract
Aims & Objective: Obesity is a global health hazard and has been linked to numerous disorders including derangement in pulmonary functions and the negative association is still debated. This study is aimed at assessing the effects of obesity on slow vital capacity parameters.
Materials and methods: A case control study was used to measure pulmonary parameters and was performed with a computerized spirolyser (with RS-232 connectivity). Slow vital capacity parameters measured between obese and non-obese groups were statistically analysed using student ‘t’ test.
National Journal of Physiology, Pharmacy & Pharmacology | 2012 | Vol 2 | Issue 1 | 29 – 32
RESEARCH ARTICLE
Slow Vital Capacity Parameters as Indicators of Pulmonary Efficiency in Obese People – A Case Control Study
Naveen Kotur1, Nanda Sappandi2, SL Karne3, Gurupadappa K4, Chidananda PS5
ABSTRACT
Aims & Objective: Obesity is a global health hazard and has been linked to numerous disorders including derangement in pulmonary functions and the negative association is still debated. This study is aimed at assessing the effects of obesity on slow vital capacity parameters.
Materials and methods: A case control study was used to measure pulmonary parameters and was performed with a computerized spirolyser (with RS-232 connectivity). Slow vital capacity parameters measured between obese and non-obese groups were statistically analysed using student ‘t’ test.
Results: VC, ERV, IRV, IC and TV among obese were 2.78 ± 0.60, 0.59 ± 0.32, 1.70 ± 0.41, 2.27 ± 0.62 and 0.52 ± 0.23 in litre respectively. Same parameters among non-obese were 2.77 ± 0.61, 0.86 ± 0.37, 1.39 ± 0.53, 1.90 ± 0.47 and 0.53 ± 0.20 in litre respectively. Changes in ERV and IC was statistically highly significant (‘p’ <0.01), IRV was significant (<0.05) and VC, TV (>0.05) was insignificant (<0.05).
Conclusion: Apart from IC and IRV, reduction in ERV was considered as the most significant and sensitive PFT parameters to know the negative association with class I (Mild) obesity.

Key words: Body Mass Index, Obesity, Slow vital capacity, Vital capacity