The effect of obesity on chronic respiratory diseases: pathophysiology and therapeutic strategies

CMAJ. 2006 Apr 25;174(9):1293-9. doi: 10.1503/cmaj.051299.

Abstract

Sedentary lifestyles and increased pollution brought about by industrialization pose major challenges to the prevention of both obesity and chronic respiratory diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, obstructive sleep apnea and obesity hypoventilation syndrome. Obesity has emerged as an important risk factor for these respiratory diseases, and in many instances weight loss is associated with important symptomatic improvement. Moreover, obesity may influence the development and presentation of these diseases. In this article, we review the current understanding of the influence of obesity on chronic respiratory diseases and the clinical management of obesity concurrent with asthma, COPD, obstructive sleep apnea or obesity hypoventilation syndrome.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Asthma / complications
  • Asthma / prevention & control
  • Body Composition
  • Chronic Disease
  • Humans
  • Obesity / complications
  • Obesity / physiopathology*
  • Obesity / therapy*
  • Obesity Hypoventilation Syndrome / complications
  • Obesity Hypoventilation Syndrome / prevention & control
  • Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / complications
  • Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / prevention & control
  • Respiratory Tract Diseases / complications
  • Respiratory Tract Diseases / physiopathology*
  • Respiratory Tract Diseases / prevention & control*
  • Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / complications
  • Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / prevention & control
  • Weight Loss