International Journal of Scientific Research in Dental and Medical Sciences

International Journal of Scientific Research in Dental and Medical Sciences

Association of Peak Expiratory Flow Rate with Anthropometric Parameters among Medical Students: A Cross-Sectional Study

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Anagha Ajitha Laiju
Dhanya Mavelithottathu Surendran
Anu Iomsa Elizabeth Joy
Shiny Iomsa George
Neenu Iomsa Sunil Allenjerill
Department of Physiology, Azeezia Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Kollam, Kerala, India
10.30485/ijsrdms.2025.550216.1682
Abstract
Background and aim: Obesity is a growing health concern among children, adolescents, and young adults and is associated with an increased risk of several chronic diseases, including respiratory disorders. Anthropometric indices such as Body Mass Index (BMI), waist circumference, and Waist-to-Hip Ratio (WHR) are commonly used to assess overall and central obesity. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR) and anthropometric parameters, including height, weight, BMI, waist circumference, and WHR among medical students.
Material and methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 102 medical students. Anthropometric measurements, including height, weight, waist circumference, and hip circumference, were recorded, and BMI and WHR were calculated. PEFR was measured using Wright’s peak flow meter. Participants were informed about the study procedures, and demonstrations were provided before data collection. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software, and Pearson’s correlation coefficient was used to determine the association between PEFR and anthropometric variables.
Results: PEFR showed a positive correlation with height, indicating better pulmonary function among taller individuals. In contrast, weight, BMI, waist circumference, and WHR demonstrated negative correlations with PEFR. However, the association between WHR and PEFR was not statistically significant.
Conclusions: Anthropometric parameters significantly influence PEFR among medical students. Increased adiposity, particularly central obesity, may adversely affect respiratory function. These findings emphasize the importance of incorporating anthropometric assessments into respiratory health evaluations and promoting early lifestyle interventions to prevent obesity and preserve lung function in young adults.
Keywords
Body Mass Index
Peak Expiratory Flow Rate
Waist Circumference
Waist-Hip Ratio
Subjects
[1] Kalra S, Kapoor N, Verma M, Shaikh S, Das S, Jacob J, et al. Defining and diagnosing obesity in India: A call for advocacy and action. Journal of obesity. 2023;2023(1):4178121. https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/4178121.
[2] Sharma N, Sanjeevi RR, Balasubramanian K, Chahal A, Sharma A, Sidiq M. A systematic review on prevalence of overweight and obesity among school children and adolescents in Indian population. Indian Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism. 2024;28(2):104-16. https://doi.org/10.4103/ijem.ijem_365_23.
[3] Zammit C, Liddicoat H, Moonsie I, Makker H. Obesity and respiratory diseases. International journal of general medicine. 2010;3:335-43. https://doi.org/10.2147/IJGM.S11926.
[4] Khan R, Kapoor A, Raza ST, Singh S. Peak expiratory flow rate (pefr) and body mass index (bmi) in adult female: a systematic review. Era's Journal of Medical Research. 2021;8(1). https://doi/10.24041/ejmr2021.4.
[5] Venkateswara Babu R, Sivaganesh Devaraj V, Sabarigirivasan Harish VK. A study of the association of overweight and peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) among children. Journal of Evidence Based Medicine and Healthcare. 2019;6(10):787-94. https://doi.org/10.18410/jebmh/2019/163.
[6] Junior DC, Peixoto-Souza FS, Araujo PN, Barbalho-Moulin MC, Alves VC, Gomes EL, et al. Influence of body composition on lung function and respiratory muscle strength in children with obesity. Journal of clinical medicine research. 2015;8(2):105-110. https://doi.org/10.14740/jocmr2382w.
[7] Yao TC, Tsai HJ, Chang SW, Chung RH, Hsu JY, Tsai MH, et al. Obesity disproportionately impacts lung volumes, airflow and exhaled nitric oxide in children. PloS one. 2017;12(4):e0174691. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0174691.
[8] Liyanage G, Jayamanne BD, Aaqiff M, Sriwardhana D. Effect of body mass index on pulmonary function in children. Ceylon Medical Journal. 2016;61(4).
[9] Kumari S, Deo AK, Upadhyay MK. Association of BMI, Peak expiratory flow rate and sympathetic reactivity in youth. Indian J Pharm Pharmacol. 2019;6(2):33-6. http://doi.org/10.18231/j.ijpp.2019.008.
[10] Saxena Y, Purwar B, Upmanyu R. Adiposity: determinant of peak expiratory flow rate in young Indian adults male. Indian Journal of Chest Diseases and Allied Sciences. 2011;53(1):29-33.
[11] Chakraborty A, Deka J. Peak expiratory flow rate and its variation with respect to gender and anthropometric parameters among subjects of age group 18 to 35 years. National Journal of Physiology, Pharmacy and Pharmacology. 2025;14(11):2341-4. http://dx.doi.org/10.5455/NJPPP.2024.v14.i11.2.
[12] World Health Organization. Waist circumference and waist-hip ratio: report of a WHO expert consultation, Geneva, 8-11 December 2008.
[13] Joshi V, Shah S. Effect of body mass index (BMI) on peak expiratory flow rate in young adults. IAIM. 2016;3(5):85-8.
[14] Heymsfield SB, Sorkin JD, Thomas DM, Yang S, Heo M, McCarthy C, et al. Weight/height2: Mathematical overview of the world's most widely used adiposity index. Obesity Reviews. 2025;26(1):e13842. https://doi.org/10.1111/obr.13842.
[15] Misra A, Chowbey P, Makkar BM, Vikram NK, Wasir JS, Chadha D, et al. Consensus statement for diagnosis of obesity, abdominal obesity and the metabolic syndrome for Asian Indians and recommendations for physical activity, medical and surgical management. Japi. 2009;57(2):163-70.
[16]  Namita DP, Ranjan D. A cross-sectional study of assessing the effects of body mass index on peak expiratory flow rate in young people. National Journal of Physiology, Pharmacy and Pharmacology. 2019;9(9):828-33. 10.5455/njppp.2019.9.0519903062019.
[17] Babu KR, Mohit M, Kolekar D. A comparative study of peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) and BMI in male and female medical students. Int J Health Sci Res. 2015;5(8):273-8.
[18] Chinnaiyan S, Ramayyan V. Comparison of Peak Expiratory Flow Rates (PEFR) between obese and non-obese Females. Journal of Pre-Clinical and Clinical Research. 2021;15(3):111-15. http://dx.doi.org/10.26444/jpccr/139199.
[19] di Palmo E, Filice E, Cavallo A, Caffarelli C, Maltoni G, Miniaci A, et al. Childhood obesity and respiratory diseases: which link?. Children. 2021;8(3):177. https://doi.org/10.3390/children8030177.
[20] Rubinstein I, Zamel N, Dubarry L, Hoffstein V. Airflow Limitation in Morbidly Obsese, Nonsmoking Men. Survey of Anesthesiology. 1990;34(6):352.
[21] Gibson G. Obesity, respiratory function and breathlessness. Thorax. 2000;55(Suppl 1):S41-44. https://doi.org/10.1136/thorax.55.suppl_1.s41.
[22] Rai RH, Gupta S, Mohd A. Relationship of peak expiratory flow rate with waist circumference, hip circumference, and waist-to-hip ratio in young adults. Annals of the National Academy of Medical Sciences (India). 2020;56(01):26-9. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0040-1712341.
[23] Collins LC, Hoberty PD, Walker JF, Fletcher EC, Peiris AN. The effect of body fat distribution on pulmonary function tests. Chest. 1995;107(5):1298-302. https://doi.org/10.1378/chest.107.5.1298.
International Journal of Scientific Research in Dental and Medical Sciences
Volume 7, Issue 4
Autumn 2025
Pages 149-153

  • Receive Date 03 October 2025
  • Revise Date 27 November 2025
  • Accept Date 05 December 2025
  • Publish Date 01 December 2025