title: Reply from the authors.
authors.affiliation: 1 University of New Mexico Albuquerque, New Mexico.
authors.forename: Akshay
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sood
authors.forename: Hans
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Petersen
authors.forename: Paula
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Meek
authors.forename: Yohannes
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Tesfaigzi
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications*; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000209:etiology*; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015430:Weight Gain / Q000502:physiology*