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Effects of Obesity on Lung Function

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Obesity and Lung Disease

Part of the book series: Respiratory Medicine ((RM,volume 19))

Abstract

Obesity causes significant changes in lung function, many of which are secondary to the reduction in operating lung volume caused by a stiffening of the respiratory system. In addition, reductions in the volume of the intrathoracic cavity, due to the presence of adipose tissue and changes in other structures, may also contribute to an overall reduction in lung volume. Thus, the primary effects of obesity on lung function arise from the mechanical effects of adipose tissue on the respiratory system. However, some studies have reported changes in airway function associated with obesity that appear to be independent of lung volumes, though the causes of these abnormalities are unknown. It is unclear whether the mechanical effects of obesity on lung function can increase the risk of respiratory symptoms in otherwise healthy individuals. However, in respiratory disease, a reduction in operating lung volume may increase symptoms during bronchoconstriction in asthma and protect against symptoms during exercise in COPD.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Woolcock Institute of Medical Research, 431 Glebe Point Road, Glebe, NSW, 2037, Australia

    Cheryl M. Salome B.Sc., Ph.D., Gregory G. King MB ChB, Ph.D. & Norbert Berend MBBS, M.D.

  2. Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia

    Cheryl M. Salome B.Sc., Ph.D., Gregory G. King MB ChB, Ph.D. & Norbert Berend MBBS, M.D.

  3. Department of Respiratory Medicine, Royal North Shore Hospital, St Leonards, NSW, 2065, Australia

    Gregory G. King MB ChB, Ph.D.

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  1. Cheryl M. Salome B.Sc., Ph.D.
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  2. Gregory G. King MB ChB, Ph.D.
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  3. Norbert Berend MBBS, M.D.
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Correspondence to Cheryl M. Salome B.Sc., Ph.D. .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. , Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of Vermont College of Medicin, 89 Beaumont Ave., Burlington, 05405, Vermont, USA

    Anne E. Dixon

  2. , Clinical Development Medical Affairs, Respiratory Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmac, N/A, Ridgefield, 06877, Connecticut, USA

    Emmanuelle M. Clerisme-Beaty

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Salome, C.M., King, G.G., Berend, N. (2013). Effects of Obesity on Lung Function. In: Dixon, A., Clerisme-Beaty, E. (eds) Obesity and Lung Disease. Respiratory Medicine, vol 19. Humana Press, Totowa, NJ. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-62703-053-3_1

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