Background: Pulmonary function in elderly individuals is influenced by multiple physiological and structural changes associated with aging. Body composition parameters such as Body Mass Index (BMI), Waist Circumference (WC), and Waist-Hip Ratio (WHR) are frequently used to assess health status, yet their relationship with lung function, particularly Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR), remains unclear. Thus, the present study aimed to compare the association between body composition indices and PEFR among healthy and unhealthy elderly males.

Methods: A cross-sectional comparative study was conducted on 168 elderly males aged 60-80 years, divided into two groups Group 1 (healthy, n = 84) and Group 2 (unhealthy, n = 84). Anthropometric measurements (BMI, WC, WHR) and PEFR values were recorded. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Spearman’s rank correlation to assess the relationship between body composition indices and PEFR within each group.

Results: The results showed weak and statistically non-significant correlations (p > 0.05) between PEFR and all body composition indices in both groups. The mean PEFR was 389 L/min in healthy males and 270 L/min in unhealthy males, demonstrating a 31% further reduction among unhealthy participants.