Respiratory pathophysiology in obesity

In the modern world, obesity is the most important medical and social problem that requires an interdisciplinary approach. Many diseases of the respiratory system are caused by obesity. Aim.  The review analyzes scientific sources on respiratory disorders in patients with obesity from the open-access electronic libraries PubMed and eLibrary published in the last 15 years. Methods.  A comparative systematical assessment of the results of these studies was carried out. The mechanical effects of excess body weight on the respiratory apparatus have been singled out. The current views about cellular and humoral effects of adipose tissue on the development of respiratory pathology have been given. Conclusion.  The analysis results present evidence of the multifactorial negative influence of excessive body weight on the respiratory system. Some aspects of the role of obesity in the development of respiratory disorders require further study. Understanding the pathogenic mechanisms behind the influence of obesity on the respiratory apparatus is essential for developing the patient management strategy.