[Effect of obesity on the ventilatory capacity of the respiratory system. I. Relation between basic spirometric indicators: vital capacity (VC) and forced expiratory volume (FEV1) and obesity].

The following procedures have been applied for evaluation of obesity of 1087 men, steel mill workers: all examined men have been divided into intervals of relative body weight (after Lorentz), indices including measurements of the current body weight and height, indices including measurements of the current body weight, height and skinfolds thickness. All examined persons have undergone measurements of spirometric parameters. The strongest correlation with spirometric values was that of the index of obesity including, apart from the body weight and height, also skinfolds thickness. This index of obesity provides good estimation of respiratory efficiency, which diminishes as obesity intensifies.