Body mass, fat percentage, and fat free mass as reference variables for lung function: effects on terms for age and sex

Background-Sex specific cross sectional reference values for lung function indices usually employ a linear model with terms for age and stature. The e ffects of also matching for body mass index (BMI = mass/stature(2)) or its components, fat percentage of body mass (fat%) and fat free mass index (FFM I = fat free mass/stature(2)) were studied. Methods-The subjects were 458 asymptomatic male and female non-smokers (383 men) and 22 female ex-smokers. Measurements were made of ventilatory capac ity, lung volumes, transfer factor (diffusing capacity, single breath CO me thod), and body composition (skinfold method). Linear and proportional regr ession models were used. Results-Terms for fat% and FFMI significantly improved the accuracy of refe rence values for all the primary lung function indices. The improvements in subjects with atypical physiques (fat% and FFMI at the ends of the distrib utions for the subjects) were in the range 0.3-2.3 SD compared with convent ional regression equations. The new partial regression coefficients on age were independent of age related changes in body fat. The coefficient for to tal lung capacity (TLC) on age in men was now positive. Most differences be tween the sexes were eliminated. A term for BMI improved the descriptions o f subdivisions of TLC but lacked the other advantages. Conclusion-Allowance for fat% and FFMI increases the accuracy of reference equations for lung function, particularly for subjects with a lot of fat an d little muscle or vice versa. Allowance for BMI is less informative.