[Pulmonary manifestations in childhood obesity].

Obesity has an increasing incidence throughout the world, inducing a complex and multisystemic pathology. The respiratory manifestations are: restrictive respiratory physiology, reduced respiratory compliance, altered ventilation/perfusion index, bronchial hyperresponsiveness. Increases in body mass index (BMI) are associated with increases in prevalence, incidence and severity of bronchial asthma. The mechanic effects of obesity remain important, but the adipocites have many influences by the hormones, leptines, cytokines and other proinflammatory agents.