title: The Relationship between Dietary Fiber Intake and Lung Function in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys.
abstract: Extensive research supports a protective effect of a high-fiber diet in certain disease states; however, little is known about its relationship to lung health. The National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) contain spirometry measures and dietary intake information, allowing us to assess this relationship.
  
  
  
  Determine the association between fiber intake and measures of lung function in a representative sample of U.S. adults.
  
  
  
  Participants included 1,921 adults who had spirometry measurements and fiber intake available. The primary outcomes were lung function measurements, including FEV1, FVC, and percent predicted FEV1 and FVC. We also conducted a categorical analysis of fiber intake and airflow restriction and obstruction based on Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease and Spirometry Grade (SG) classifications. Multivariable regression models were used to look at the association of lung function measurements with dietary fiber intake after adjustment for relevant confounders. All analyses accounted for the weighted data and complex design of the NHANES sample.
  
  
  
  Subjects in the highest quartile intake of fiber had mean FEV1 and FVC measurements that were 82 ml and 129 ml higher than the lowest quartile of intake (P = 0.05 and 0.01, respectively), and mean percent predicted FEV1 and FVC values that were 2.4 and 2.8 percentage points higher (P = 0.07 and 0.02, respectively). In the categorical analysis, higher fiber intake was associated with a higher percentage of those with normal lung function (P = 0.001) and a significant decline in the proportion of participants with airflow restriction (P = 0.001).
  
  
  
  Low fiber intake was associated with reduced measures of lung function. A diet rich in fiber-containing foods may play a role in improving lung health.
authors.affiliation: 1 School of Allied Health Professions, Medical Nutrition Education, and.
authors.forename: Corrine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hanson
authors.affiliation: 2 College of Public Health, Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska.
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lyden
authors.affiliation: 3 Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Sleep, and Allergy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska.
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rennard
authors.affiliation: 4 University of Kentucky College of Public Health, Lexington, Kentucky.
authors.forename: David M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Mannino
authors.affiliation: 5 Program Development Centre, Centre of Expertise for Chronic Organ Failure, Horn, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Erica P A
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Rutten
authors.affiliation: 6 Department of Respiratory Services, Auckland City Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand; and.
authors.forename: Raewyn
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hopkins
authors.affiliation: 7 Department of Medicine, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Young
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004043:Dietary Fiber / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008173:Lung Diseases, Obstructive / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009749:Nutrition Surveys; D012044:Regression Analysis; D013147:Spirometry; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D004043:Dietary Fiber
keywords: diet; fiber; lung function; obstructive lung disease; restrictive lung disease