Lung function in premenopausal, postmenopausal women can decline due to obesity: Study

Feb 27, 2022

New Delhi, Feb 27 (ANI): Obesity has been shown to affect the risk of airway obstructive diseases and can lead to a decline in lung function. A new study suggested that abdominal obesity may result in a greater risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma in premenopausal and postmenopausal women. The study was published in the journal 'The North American Menopause Society' (NAMS). According to previous studies, women experience greater lung function impairment and have a higher risk of developing COPD than men, despite less exposure to smoke. Female smokers experience a more rapid decline in lung function between 45 and 50 years of age, compared with male smokers. The hospitalisation rate of asthma is also higher in women than in men. The researchers concluded that, regardless of menopause status, high Body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference were found to significantly increase the risk of COPD and asthma. It is also believed that female hormones contribute to the greater incidence of asthma in women. The Risk of COPD, asthma in women can be reduced by maintaining body weight and composition, avoiding tobacco use.