RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Association of sitting/standing height ratio and FEV1 in multi-ethnic school children: The Size and Lung Function in Children (SLIC) study JF European Respiratory Journal JO Eur Respir J FD European Respiratory Society SP 3299 VO 40 IS Suppl 56 A1 Sooky Lum A1 Jane Kirkby A1 Rachel Bonner A1 Samatha Sonnappa A1 Angie Wade A1 Emma Raywood A1 Simon Lee A1 Daniel Bailey A1 Janet Stocks YR 2012 UL http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/40/Suppl_56/3299.abstract AB Appropriate paediatric lung function reference equations for ethnic minorities are lacking. We investigated the extent to which differences in body proportions as indicated by the sitting/standing height ratio(Sit/Stand Ht) explain ethnic differences in FEV1.Methods: As part of the SLIC study (commenced 2011), standard anthropometry including sitting height and spirometry were assessed in multi-ethnic London school children. FEV1 was expressed in Z scores to adjust for sex, age and height (Stanojevic2009). Statistical analysis was by univariable and multivariable regression.Results: 379 healthy children (age: 5-10y, 43% boys; 31% White, 44% Black; 13% Asian, 12% mixed/other) performed successful spirometry. Compared with Whites, FEV1 was significantly lower in Black, Asian & “Other” children. On univariable analysis ethnicity accounted for 28% and Sit/Stand Ht for 25% zFEV1 variation. In a multivariable model the combined contribution was 35% with ethnicity contribution falling to 10%(Table).View this table:Table: Linear regression showing ethnic differences in FEV1 before & after adjustment for sit/stand heightConclusion: This study shows that Sit/Stand Ht accounts for some of the differences amongst ethnicities in FEV1 and provides further evidence that sitting height should be an essential part of standard anthropometry. Further work to explore the extent to which differences in body shape, size and composition contribute to ethnic differences in lung function is in progress.