OBESITY INDUCED VARIATIONS IN SOME RESPIRATORY PARAMETERS AMONGST A POPULATION OF YOUNG FEMALE UNIBEN STUDENTS.

ABSTRACT

Obesity can be described as the "New World Syndrome (Nammi et al., 2004) .Obesity can be defined as an abnormal growth of adipose tissue due to an enlargement of fat or excessive body fat to an extent that is highly likely to impair health and increase morbidity and mortality (Sirimi and Goulis, 2010). Over the years, obesity has received both praise, as a symbol of health and fertility and has been associated with decreased survival, poor quality of life, low functional status and disability (Lopez-Jimenez and Miranda, 2010). In addition, Obesity predisposes people to a large array of clinical conditions such as type 2 diabetes, Respiratory diseases Asthma, Pulmonary Hypertension, Chronic Kidney disease (Wilson et al., 2010). This study is aimed at evaluation of some respiratory parameters amongst young obese females. Sixty (60) apparently healthy female subjects were recruited for this study between the age range of 18-25 years. Thirty obese females and thirty (30) normal weight subjects which are the control were used and this study was carried out across different geopolitical zones in Benin city. Subjects were asked to complete a medical and gynaecological questionnaire. Obesity for this subject was recognized as BMI greater or equal to 30kgm/M².The subjects were made to undergo spirometry method and their values were collected . Data was analysed using graph pad statistical software version 8.1, P-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. According to the results, it revealed a significant decrease in Forced vital capacity (FVC), Forced Expiratory volume (FEV), and Peak Expiratory Flowrate (P<0.05). In Conclusion, Obesity causes some respiratory conditions due to its negative effect on FVC, FEV1 and PEFR compared to non-obese subjects.