A NEW study has revealed that changes in the muscle-to-fat (MF) ratio are strongly associated with lung function decline and airflow obstruction in middle-aged adults, underscoring the role of body composition in respiratory health.
The study followed 4,712 participants from a community-based cohort over an eight-year period. Researchers assessed lung function parameters, including forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), alongside MF ratios measured biannually through spirometry and bioelectrical impedance analysis.
Participants with an increased MF ratio showed significant improvements in lung function. For every unit increase in the MF ratio, FVC improved by 43.9 mL and FEV1 by 37.6 mL in men, while non-smoking women saw gains of 55.8 mL in FVC and 44.3 mL in FEV1. Conversely, participants whose MF ratios decreased experienced more rapid declines in lung function, with greater annual deterioration in FVC and FEV1 across both sexes.
The study also highlighted a protective effect of a higher MF ratio against airflow obstruction, with odds ratios of 0.77 in men and 0.85 in non-smoking women. These findings suggest that maintaining or improving muscle mass relative to fat could be key to preserving lung health.
The authors emphasised the importance of interventions targeting body composition to mitigate lung function decline. “Our results demonstrate the critical link between muscle-to-fat ratio and respiratory health, highlighting opportunities for preventive strategies,” they stated.
Aleksandra Zurowska, EMJ
Reference
Kim E et al. Changes in muscle-to-fat ratio are associated with lung function decline and airflow obstruction in the general population. Respir Res. 2024:DOI; 10.1186/s12931-024-03081-w.
