Abstract
Objective: "Lung age", which is calculated from the height, sex and one second forced expiratory volume, is used as an index of respiratory function. Its main worsening factor is smoking. We investigated the lifestyle factors that worsen lung age in non-smokers because such factors had not been clarified.
Methods: 1,291 males (49.9±11.1 yrs) and 1,689 females (50.4±11.8 yrs) who had no respiratory disease and underwent Ningen Dock at the Shimbashi Medical Check-up Office of Jikei University Hospital were enrolled in this study. The influences of the following factors on the difference between lung age and real age were evaluated: exposure/non-exposure to second-hand smoke, body mass index, increase in body weight since 20 yrs old, ethanol intake (g/week), and whether subjects did at least one hour of hard exercise per week, at least one hour of walking per day or fast walking, or not.
Results: In the males, an increase in body weight since 20 yrs old and less than one hour of hard exercise per week worsened lung age. In the females, an increase in body weight since 20 yrs old and less than one hour of walking per day worsened lung age.
Conclusion: This study suggests that an increase in body weight and less physical activity are lifestyle factors that worsen lung age in non-smokers.
