ASSOCIATION OF ANTHROPOMETRIC PARAMETERS WITH PEAK EXPIRATORY FLOW RATE AMONG SCHOOL-AGED CHILDREN IN WESTERN UTTAR PRADESH: A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY

Abstract

Background: Growth and body composition influence respiratory function during childhood, but the relationship between anthropometric measures and peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) may vary across populations. The study evaluated the association of height, weight, and body mass index (BMI) with PEFR among asymptomatic school children in Western Uttar Pradesh, India. Methods: This observational cross-sectional study included 370 asymptomatic school children aged 8–14 years from a school in Greater Noida, Western Uttar Pradesh. Height and weight were measured and BMI was calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in metres squared. PEFR was measured in the standing position using a standard peak flow meter; three readings were obtained and the highest value was retained. Pearson correlation coefficients were used to examine the relationships between PEFR and height, weight, and BMI. Statistical significance was defined as p<0.05. Results: The mean age of the study population was 12.06±1.00 years. Mean height, weight, and BMI were 146.89±7.76 cm, 31.09±11.31 kg, and 26.42±11.44 kg/m², respectively. Mean PEFR was 275±76.66 L/min. PEFR demonstrated a very weak but statistically significant negative correlation with height (r=-0.114, p=0.028), a weak positive correlation with weight (r=0.262, p<0.0001), and a weak negative correlation with BMI (r=-0.345, p<0.0001). Conclusion: In this school-based population, PEFR showed statistically significant associations with height, weight, and BMI, although the magnitude of these correlations was modest. The positive association with weight and negative association with BMI illustrate the complexity of interpreting raw PEFR in growing children and support the use of age-, sex-, and body-size-appropriate reference values rather than raw PEFR alone.