Evaluation of the relationship between body fat distribution and lung capacity in morbid obese adolescents

Evaluation of the relationship between body fat distribution and lung capacity in morbid obese adolescents Introduction and purpose; Obesity is defined as the amount of fat stored in the body. The incidence of obesity in adolescents is increasing in our country. Complications such as hypertension caused by obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, nonalcoholic hepatosteatosis, cardiovascular disease and decreased respiratory capacity can be seen in this age group. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between body fat distribution and respiratory function capacity and exercise level in adolescents with morbid obesity. Patients and Methods; A total of 30 adolescent male and female patients between 10 and 18 years of age who were followed-up in the Department of Endocrinology with BMI values higher than 140% and diagnosed with morbid obesity were included in the study. Body mass index (BMI), bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), pulmonary function test (PFT) and 6-minute walk test (6MWT) data were evaluated retrospectively. For the control group, the PFT, 6MWT and BIA data of 30 healthy adolescents with a relative BMI less than 110% obtained because of various reasons such as chest pain, respiratory distress, psychogenic events without revealing an organic pathology were evaluated. Age, gender, weight, height, BMI, BIA, PFT and 6MWT parameters were compared between the groups. Findings: Age, gender and height values were similar between groups. Weight, BMI and relative BMI values were significantly higher in the morbidly obese group than the control group (P <0.05). When the body fat, muscle and bone mineral weight and, fat and muscle weight of right and left legs, right and left arms and truncus were compared via BIA, all parameters were significantly higher in the morbidly obese group than the control group (p <0.05). While FEV1/FVC, PEF, MEF25 and MEF75 values among PFT parameters were significantly lower in morbidly obese patients, FEV1, FVC, MEF 50 and MEF25-75 values were similar for both groups. Whereas the mean walking distance of morbid obese patients was significantly lower and the dyspnea parameter within the borg scale was significantly higher, there was no difference between heart rate, SpO2 and respiratory rate. In the morbidly obese group, there was a significant, moderately positive correlation between the total body fat weight and the respiratory rate (RR) after 6MWT (p<0.05). A significant, weak positive correlation was found between body fat weight and post-6MWT RR (p: 0,03). Additionally, significant, moderately positive correlation was found between the fat weight of right-left leg and right-left arm and post-6MWT RR (p<0.05, p<0.05, p< 0.05, p: 0.02, respectively). No significant correlation was found for other parameters included in the study. Conclusion: Pulmonary functions are adversely affected in morbidly obese adolescents. With the increase in truncus and extremity fat, the respiratory functions are negatively affected. Although the body muscle is found to be higher in the morbidly obese group, decreased respiratory function affects the walking distance, physical activity level and the quality of life of the individuals. Key Words: Morbid obesity, adolescent, bioelectrical impedance, lung capacity, pulmonary function test, 6-minute walk test