CORRELATION OF PEAK EXPIRATORY FLOW RATE WITH BMI IN SCHOOL GOING CHILDREN BETWEEN 6-17 YRS IN CHENGALPET DISTRICT – A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY
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Keywords
Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR), Body Mass Index (BMI), Pulmonary Function, Childhood Obesity, Cross-Sectional Study
Abstract
Pulmonary functionality and airway health in children are also significantly determined by Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR) which is common in assessing the airways well-being. The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship that exists between PEFR and Body Mass Index (BMI) in children of school going age in the Chengalpattu district of Tamil nadu between 6 and 17 years old. The study was a cross-sectional, carried out on a quarter of a school population. Anthropometric data such as height and weight were taken and then the body mass index was calculated and there was categorization of children in terms of normal, overweight and obese. PEFR was recorded by measuring using a peak flow meter and the peak of the three trials was taken to analyze. Findings indicated that the PEFR values of normal children were higher than those of overweight and obese kids. There was a statistically significant negative relationship between BMI and PEFR and thus higher BMI is related to low pulmonary functioning. Also PEFR was observed to be on the trajectory of age-related normal physiological growth. The conclusion made is that BMI plays an important role in determining the lung functioning of children. The early detection and treatment of overweight and obese children can aid in the betterment of respiratory health and avoidance of complications in the future.