An increasing number of individuals with obesity-related
dyspnea and respiratory disturbances as well as those with
chronic respiratory diseases and coexisting obesity are being referred
for pulmonary rehabilitation (114). Despite less severe
airflow obstruction and comparable constant work rate cycling
endurance time, obese individuals with COPD have lower
6MWD compared with overweight and normal weight individuals
(115). Although obesity may have a negative impact on
exercise tolerance in individuals with COPD (115), it does not
diminish the magnitude of gains made in pulmonary rehabilitation
(115–118).