Correlation of Obesity Indices with Peak Expiratory Flow Rate in Males and Females

As body mass index (BMI) and waist hip ratio (WHR) are indices of obesity and as obesity is known to reduce flow rates, an attempt had been made to correlate these indices with peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) and see whether there is any gender difference in this. 40 males and 40 females in the age group of 18 to 22 years participated in this study in which 20 were obese and another 20 were non obese. Anthropometric parameters were recorded from which BMI and WHR were calculated and PEFR was recorded by using peak flow meter. The data were analysed in SPSS 17.0 using Student ’t’ test. Our results revealed that PEFR was significantly lower in obese males (p < 0.003) but not in obese females (p <0.2) when compared to their nonobese counterparts. And in males, PEFR was negatively correlated with BMI (p < 0.002, r=0.470) but not with WHR. In females there was no correlation of PEFR with either BMI or WHR. This may be because of the gender difference in fat distribution males having central distribution which may reduce compliance and PEFR whereas females having peripheral distribution which may not affect the compliance and PEFR.