Obesity & The Lung
• Obesity constitutes a significant health problem worldwide. In the United States, it is
estimated that more than half of all adults are overweight or obese. It is an increasing
problem in developing countries.
• Its prevalence continues to increase. In the U.S, an increase of more than 25% over the
last three decades was seen. The number of individuals with severe obesity has tripled
• It is a leading cause of preventable death in the United States, second only to cigarette
smoking
• Morbidity and mortality associated with obesity increase with increasing BMI.
• Intra-abdominal fat distribution is also an independent risk for cardiovascular disease
and mortality. Upper body or central fat distribution has a greater effect on pulmonary
function than lower body fat distribution. Furthermore, abdominal fat distribution is
more often associated with sleep-disordered breathing
• World Health Organization and the National Institutes of Health have classified obesity
as follows: based on the BMI
– 18.5- 24.9 kg/m2 normal
– 25.0 -29.9 kg/m2 overweight
– 30.0 -34.9 kg/m2 Grade 1 obesity.
– 35.0-39.9 kg/m2 Grade.2 obesity
– >40.0 kg/m2 Grade 3(morbid) obesity
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