Assessment of Pulmonary Functions in Young Obese Medical Students

Obesity is common problem in people of high socioeconomic status of all age group. This is usually seen with reduced work capacity, early fatigability, mental irritation, dypnoea etc. Despite of good and easy availability of nutritional food , people of high socioeconomic status still remain unhealthy mainly due to lack of adequate physical exercise and overeating which leads to obesity in the family. Present study was conducted to assess the pulmonary functions in young obese medical students belonging to high socioeconomic status. Based on BMI subjects were divided in to 2 groups. Group 1 comprised of obese students (BMI>30) and group 2 comprised of non-obese students (BMI<25). Data obtained were analyzed using t-test. Inspiratory Reserve Volume, Expiratory Reserve Volume, Functional Residual Capacity and Maximum Voluntary Ventilation were found significantly lower in obese group students.