Obesity and its Impact on Respiratory Health and Primary Care

A study published in The Lancet shows that, in 2022, more than 1 billion people in the world are living with obesity. The relationship between obesity and respiratory health is complex, involving mechanical, inflammatory, and metabolic factors. New research continues to grow a body of evidence on the impact of obesity on lung function and respiratory conditions such as asthma.

The prevalence of obesity has escalated dramatically over the past few decades. The UK Parliament published a report in January 2023 estimating that 26% of adults in England are obese and a further 38% are overweight. This rise in obesity has been accompanied by an increase in respiratory conditions such as asthma, obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).