Overweight and obese children are at increased risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in adulthood...65 percent higher for women
Mar 23, 2025
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According to the research team, the obese group had a 65% higher risk of COPD than the group with an average BMI, while the overweight group and the group with an above-average BMI also had a 26% and 10% higher risk of COPD, respectively.
Men had a 40% higher risk of COPD in the obese group than in the average BMI group, and the overweight group and the group with above-average BMI were also found to have a 16% and 7% higher risk of COPD, respectively.
However, the female group with below-average BMI in childhood was found to have a 9% lower risk of COPD than the average BMI group. Men had no significant difference in COPD risk between the group with below-average BMI and the group with average BMI.
The research team explained that "the results of this study show that if childhood BMI is above average, overweight, or obese, the risk of COPD may be increased in adulthood" and that "overweight and obesity may be an indicator of the risk of developing COPD when young.'
On the other hand, COPD is a respiratory disease that causes difficulty in breathing due to chronic inflammation of the bronchial tubes and lungs caused by smoking or occupational exposure to harmful gases, air pollution, and lung infections. The main symptoms are shortness of breath, persistent cough, and phlegm. In the early stages, symptoms are mild and easily overlooked in daily life, but if the disease progresses, it can be difficult to breathe and interfere with daily life, such as pressure on the chest.
There is an analysis that if it worsens acutely and is hospitalized, 50% will die after 3.3 years on average, and 75% will die after 7.7 years.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
