Diana Malaeb1,2, Souheil Hallit3,4, Hala Sacre4,5, Bassem Malaeb6, Rabih Hallit3, Pascale Salameh2,7,8. 1. School of Pharmacy, Lebanese International University, Beirut, Lebanon. 2. Life Sciences and Health Department, Paris-Est University, Paris, France. 3. Faculty of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Holy Spirit University of Kaslik (USEK), Jounieh, Lebanon. 4. INSPECT-LB: Institut National de Sante Publique, Epidemiologie Clinique et Toxicologie, Beirut, Lebanon. 5. Drug Information Center, Order of Pharmacists in Lebanon, Beirut, Lebanon. 6. Ain w Zein Medical Center, Shouf, Lebanon. 7. Faculty of Pharmacy, Lebanese University, Hadath, Lebanon. 8. Faculty of Medicine, Lebanese University, Hadath, Lebanon.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: The causes of the global increase in asthma in children are unknown. It has been hypothesized that diet is an important factor that may play a role in the pathogenesis of the disease. The objective was to evaluate the association between diet and current asthma among Lebanese children. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 1000 children recruited from public and private schools in Lebanon. Of the total enrolled participants, 107 children were diagnosed with current asthma and were analyzed. The food frequency questionnaire was used to assess participants' dietary habits. RESULTS: The consumption of sweets ≥3 times weekly (ORa = 5.42), white bread ≥3 times weekly (ORa = 26.38), and olive oil daily (ORa = 9.80) were associated with higher odds of current asthma. Drinking carbonated beverages occasionally (ORa = 0.25) and ≥3 times per week (ORa = 0.03) was significantly associated with lower odds of current asthma. Adhering to Mediterranean diet (occasional, >3 times weekly and daily) was significantly associated with lower odds of current asthma compared to never consuming Mediterranean diet (ORa = 0.23 and ORa = 0.22, respectively). The occasional consumption of bread was significantly associated with higher odds of current asthma (ORa = 8.2), whereas daily consumption was significantly associated with lower odds (ORa = 0.336). Moreover, the occasional, ≥3 times weekly and daily consumption of meat were significantly associated with higher odds of current asthma (ORa = 9.6; ORa = 5.1 and ORa = 4.5), respectively. An occasional consumption of junk food was significantly associated with lower odds of current asthma (ORa = 0.044), whereas a daily consumption was associated with higher odds. CONCLUSION: Adhering to certain diets might be associated with higher odds of current asthma.
OBJECTIVES: The causes of the global increase in asthma in children are unknown. It has been hypothesized that diet is an important factor that may play a role in the pathogenesis of the disease. The objective was to evaluate the association between diet and current asthma among Lebanese children. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 1000 children recruited from public and private schools in Lebanon. Of the total enrolled participants, 107 children were diagnosed with current asthma and were analyzed. The food frequency questionnaire was used to assess participants' dietary habits. RESULTS: The consumption of sweets ≥3 times weekly (ORa = 5.42), white bread ≥3 times weekly (ORa = 26.38), and olive oil daily (ORa = 9.80) were associated with higher odds of current asthma. Drinking carbonated beverages occasionally (ORa = 0.25) and ≥3 times per week (ORa = 0.03) was significantly associated with lower odds of current asthma. Adhering to Mediterranean diet (occasional, >3 times weekly and daily) was significantly associated with lower odds of current asthma compared to never consuming Mediterranean diet (ORa = 0.23 and ORa = 0.22, respectively). The occasional consumption of bread was significantly associated with higher odds of current asthma (ORa = 8.2), whereas daily consumption was significantly associated with lower odds (ORa = 0.336). Moreover, the occasional, ≥3 times weekly and daily consumption of meat were significantly associated with higher odds of current asthma (ORa = 9.6; ORa = 5.1 and ORa = 4.5), respectively. An occasional consumption of junk food was significantly associated with lower odds of current asthma (ORa = 0.044), whereas a daily consumption was associated with higher odds. CONCLUSION: Adhering to certain diets might be associated with higher odds of current asthma.
Authors: Abdulmohsen Hamdan Al-Zalabani; Ibrahim Noor Elahi; Abdullah Katib; Abdulmajeed G Alamri; Abdulrahman Halawani; Nasser M Alsindi; Mohammed Almatrafi; Anke Wesselius; Kelly F J Stewart Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2019-10-14 Impact factor: 2.692