A new study in the European Respiratory Journal reveals that early-life BMI trajectories significantly influence lung function outcomes in young adulthood, with abnormal BMI patterns linked to poorer respiratory health.
Researchers followed 3,204 individuals from birth to 24 years, identifying six BMI patterns, including stable normal, persistent low, and accelerated increasing trajectories. Those with accelerated increasing or persistent high BMI showed reduced lung function, such as a lower FEV1/FVC ratio and higher lung clearance index (LCI) at age 24, indicating small airway dysfunction. Meanwhile, individuals with stable normal and accelerated resolving BMI had healthier respiratory profiles.
The authors suggest early interventions to maintain normal BMI during childhood could improve long-term lung function. Additionally, metabolomic profiling suggested that histidine-related pathways might mediate these associations, proposing urinary metabolites as potential biomarkers for tracking lung health risks associated with BMI. These findings highlight the importance of BMI management for supporting optimal lung development.
Reference: Wang G, Hallberg J, Merid SK, et al. Body mass index trajectories from birth to early adulthood and lung function development. Eur Respir J. 2024; in press (https://doi.org/10.1183/13993003.00298-2024)
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