Background: The rapid rise in body mass index (BMI) has become a critical factor adversely affecting cardiovascular and respiratory health, particularly among young adults in Southeast Asia. This study is designed to systematically explore and analyse the connection between BMI and cardiorespiratory function. Methods: A comprehensive systematic review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines to ensure methodological rigour. The review focused on studies involving young adults aged 18 years or older, specifically examining the relationship between BMI and various cardiovascular or respiratory outcomes. To synthesise the data, a narrative meta-analysis was performed, enabling the estimation of pooled effects across the included studies. Results: In total, twenty-five studies were deemed suitable for inclusion in this review. The analysis highlighted significant findings: an increase in BMI was associated with a notable elevation in blood pressure (pooled effect size: ? ? 0.45), a marked decline in pulmonary function (? ? ?0.38), and a decrease in overall cardiorespiratory fitness (? ? ?0.38). Conclusion: The results indicate a robust association between elevated BMI and compromised cardiorespiratory health. This underscores the urgent need for proactive lifestyle interventions to prevent cardiovascular and respiratory disease, emphasising the importance of maintaining a healthy weight.
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