Summary
Introduction
Obesity has tripled since 1975 and affects health across many domains. Increasing
body mass index increases the risk to the obese subject of many non-communicable diseases.
The study evaluated the perceptive, aerodynamic, and acoustic parameters that characterize
the voice of the obese population.
Methodology
Eighty adult subjects (40 participants in each obese and control group) aged 18-50
years were enrolled. The perceptual voice analysis was performed using the Consensus
Auditory Perceptual Evaluation of Voice. The aerodynamic and acoustic voice analyses
were performed using the MIR Spiro lab instrument and Doctor's Speech software. A
digital stopwatch was also used to measure maximum phonation time.
Results
Statistical analysis revealed a significant difference (P-value <0.05 and t value >2) between two groups on acoustic parameters, specifically
Normalized noise energy and fundamental frequency tremor (F0 tremor). Normalized noise
energy and fundamental frequency tremor were greater in the obese group. Moreover,
maximum phonation time and expiratory reserve volume were significantly reduced in
the obese group.
Discussion and Conclusion
Results of the present study showed poor voice quality and reduced expiratory reserve
volume in obese individuals. This could be credited to the adverse effects of accrued
adipose on the functioning of the laryngeal and respiratory systems. Increasing body
mass index escalates the risk to the obese subjects of many non-communicable diseases.
Key Words
Abbreviations:
BMI (bodymass index), VC (vital capacity), SNR (signal to noise ratio), HNR (harmonics to noise ratio), WC (waist circumference), FVC (forced vital capacity), ERV (expiratory reserve volume)To read this article in full you will need to make a payment
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: December 27, 2021
Accepted:
October 28,
2021
Publication stage
In Press Corrected ProofIdentification
Copyright
© 2021 The Voice Foundation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
