TRACKING OF LUNG-FUNCTION PARAMETERS AND THE LONGITUDINAL RELATIONSHIP WITH LIFE-STYLE

The purpose of this study was to analyse tracking (i,e, relative stabi lity over time/predictability of future values by early measurements) of lung function parameters and their longitudinal relationship with l ifestyle (smoking, alcohol consumption, daily physical activity, neuro motor and cardiopulmonary fitness, and dietary intake of retinol and p olyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA)), Data were obtained from the observ ational Amsterdam Growth and Health Study, a longitudinal study with s ix repeated measurements between ages 13-27 yrs (n=167), The statistic al analyses were carried out with generalized estimating equations, Th e following ''stability'' coefficients were found: for forced vital ca pacity (FVC) in males 0.66 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.54-0.77) a nd in females 0.51 (95% CI: 0.43-0.60); for forced expiratory volume i n one second (FEV1) in males 0.65 (95% CI: 0.50-0.80), in females 0.53 (95% CI 0.46-0.60); for peak expiratory flow (PEF) in both males and females 0.41 (95% CI: 0.31-0.51). Positive relationships were found be tween alcohol consumption and FVC and FEV1 and between neuromotor fitn ess and PEF and (only for males) with FVC and FEV1, Physical activity was inversely related to PEF and the intake of PUFA positively related to FVC and FEV1. Smoking was related to a decrease in FVC and FEV1; c hanges in physical activity positively correlated to changes in FVC, I n conclusion, high to moderate stability/tracking was observed for for ced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume in one second; for pea k expiratory flow it was slightly lower. Preventive strategies regardi ng improvements of lung function should focus on smoking cessation and improving daily physical activity.