The Association of Dietary Macronutrients with Lung Function in Healthy Adults Using the Ansan-Ansung Cohort Study

Abstract

This study is aimed to examine the association between macronutrient intake and lung function in healthy adults (n = 5880) using the Ansan-Ansung cohort study. To identify the index of lung function, we used the percentage difference of predicted Forced Expiratory Volume (%FEV1_diff) between baseline and follow-up. Based on the median %FEV1_diff, subjects were classified by two groups as “decreased vs. unchanged/improved”. The dietary macronutrients were estimated and validated using the food-frequency questionnaire. Multiple logistic regression models were used to evaluate the association after adjusting for confounders. Advanced analysis examined the association after stratifying by age and obesity. The average of %FEV1 is 114.1 and 112.5 at baseline and follow-up, respectively. The positive association of protein and fiber intake with lung function was observed in men. Low fat and high carbohydrate intake decreased the lung function in women only. After stratification by age, the association of protein, fat, and carbohydrate intake with lung function was observed in young men and old women only. Otherwise, the association of protein and fiber with lung function was influenced by abdominal obesity. In conclusion, the lung function was positively associated with high protein and fat intake, but was negatively associated with high carbohydrate intake, which could be influenced by age and obesity.