The effects of body fat distribution on cardiopulmonary function in obese women

Abstract

Aim. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of body fat distribution on oxygen uptake, cardiac output and spirometric measurements in healthy obese women.
Material and Method. Forty obese women (age: 37.72±2.28 years, height: 158.67±5.64 cm, body weight (BW): 85.97±11.79 kg, Body Mass Index (BMI): 34.12±4.17 kg/m²) voluntarily participated to this study. The participants were divided into two groups according to waist circumference and than their spirometer test, gas analysis, indirect cardiac output (Q) measurement and anthropometric measurements were performed. Descriptive statistics, including mean and SD, independent t test and Pearson correlation coefficient for variables were calculated. The level of significance was set at p<0.05.
Results. The findings showed that there were statistically significant differences VO₂max, sistolic and diastolic blood pressure parameters between two groups that advantage of gynoid group (p<0.00). But there were not statistically significant differences Q and pulmonary functions parameters between two groups.
Conclusion. In addition to, there were statistically negative relationship between VO₂max and the body fat percentage (BF %), BMI, waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), waist to height ratio (WHtR) while there were not statistically relationship between Q, pulmonary function parameters and anthropometric parameters. Consequently, we found that increased upper body fat deposition caused to increased arterial blood pressure and decreased oxygen uptake in obese women.

Key words:

obesity, maximal oxygen uptake, cardiac output, pulmonary function test