Published Paper Details:

Background: The burden of low lung efficiency among children in India is increasing rapidly varying across different states and Union territories. The effect and frequency of food consumption on the functioning of respiratory system had received less attention when compared to other non-communicable diseases until the recent pandemic of Covid-19. Aim: This study aimed to find the association between Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR) and frequency of food consumption among school going children aged 10 to 14 years in the Union Territory (UT) of Puducherry. Methods: A total of 1926 school going children (10-14 years) were screened for lung efficiency using Food Frequency Questionnaire and Mini Wright Peak flow meter. Results: Results revealed that egg, musambi, grapes and strawberry resulted in a higher Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR) value that was statistically significant (p<0.05) when consumed weekly rather than daily. A highly significant PEFR value (p<.001) was noticed among those who included fish daily in their diet. Eating orange and banana daily was also found to have a positive effect on PEFR. Conclusion: Type of food as well as the frequency of intake strongly influences PEFR and has salutary effects on respiratory health.