INTRODUCTION: Evidence supports a significant yet weak association between high-body weight and asthma in children. However, most studies investigating the obesity-asthma link use Body Mass Index (BMI) to evaluate body fatness. The relationship between body fat distribution and asthma remains largely unknown, especially in children. This pediatric case-control investigation examined associations between central obesity/high-body weight and asthma diagnosis. METHODS: Five-hundred and fourteen children (217 physician diagnosed asthma cases and 297 healthy controls) of 5-11 years were recruited. Height, weight and waist circumference were measured. Asthma symptoms, past medical history, personal lifestyle, socioeconomic status, diet and physical activity history were also collected. RESULTS: A higher proportion of children with asthma were centrally obese [(≥90th waist percentile) 15.2 vs. 9.4%, p<0.0001; (≥90th waist-to-height ratio percentile) 39.6 vs. 24.2%, p<0.0001)]. Regression analyses revealed that centrally obese children were more likely to have asthma (high-waist circumference (OR = 1.99, 95% CI: 1.07-3.68) and high-waist circumference to height ratio (OR = 2.24, 95% CI: 1.47-3.40), following adjustment for various confounders. Overweight/obese participants (BMI defined) were more likely to be asthmatic [odds ratio (OR) = 1.52, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.03-2.70)] when compared to controls. CONCLUSIONS: Presence of central obesity and high-body weight (at least overweight) as assessed by waist circumference, waist-to-height ratio, and BMI are associated with asthma diagnosis. More studies are needed, especially in children and adolescents, to confirm these findings and better understand how body fat distribution impacts the obesity-asthma relationship.
INTRODUCTION: Evidence supports a significant yet weak association between high-body weight and asthma in children. However, most studies investigating the obesity-asthma link use Body Mass Index (BMI) to evaluate body fatness. The relationship between body fat distribution and asthma remains largely unknown, especially in children. This pediatric case-control investigation examined associations between central obesity/high-body weight and asthma diagnosis. METHODS: Five-hundred and fourteen children (217 physician diagnosed asthma cases and 297 healthy controls) of 5-11 years were recruited. Height, weight and waist circumference were measured. Asthma symptoms, past medical history, personal lifestyle, socioeconomic status, diet and physical activity history were also collected. RESULTS: A higher proportion of children with asthma were centrally obese [(≥90th waist percentile) 15.2 vs. 9.4%, p<0.0001; (≥90th waist-to-height ratio percentile) 39.6 vs. 24.2%, p<0.0001)]. Regression analyses revealed that centrally obesechildren were more likely to have asthma (high-waist circumference (OR = 1.99, 95% CI: 1.07-3.68) and high-waist circumference to height ratio (OR = 2.24, 95% CI: 1.47-3.40), following adjustment for various confounders. Overweight/obeseparticipants (BMI defined) were more likely to be asthmatic [odds ratio (OR) = 1.52, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.03-2.70)] when compared to controls. CONCLUSIONS: Presence of central obesity and high-body weight (at least overweight) as assessed by waist circumference, waist-to-height ratio, and BMI are associated with asthma diagnosis. More studies are needed, especially in children and adolescents, to confirm these findings and better understand how body fat distribution impacts the obesity-asthma relationship.
Entities:
Keywords:
Asthma; body mass index; central obesity; children; obesity; overweight; waist circumference; waist-to-height ratio
Authors: Michael Lichtenauer; Marcus Franz; Michael Fritzenwanger; Hans-Reiner Figulla; Norbert Gerdes; Christian Jung Journal: Biomed Res Int Date: 2015-02-02 Impact factor: 3.411
Authors: Kate Marie Lewis; Milagros Ruiz; Peter Goldblatt; Joana Morrison; Daniela Porta; Francesco Forastiere; Daniel Hryhorczuk; Oleksandr Zvinchuk; Marie-Josephe Saurel-Cubizolles; Sandrine Lioret; Isabella Annesi-Maesano; Martine Vrijheid; Maties Torrent; Carmen Iniguez; Isabel Larranaga; Margreet W Harskamp-van Ginkel; Tanja G M Vrijkotte; Jana Klanova; Jan Svancara; Henrique Barross; Sofia Correia; Marjo-Riitta Jarvelin; Anja Taanila; Johnny Ludvigsson; Tomas Faresjo; Michael Marmot; Hynek Pikhart Journal: Eur J Epidemiol Date: 2017-09-19 Impact factor: 8.082