Dataset Information

A persistently high body mass index increases the risk of atopic asthma at school age.

ABSTRACT:

Aim

Being overweight has been associated with the risk of developing childhood asthma, but studies have produced conflicting results, for example with regard to possible links to allergic diseases. This study aimed to explore the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and school-age asthma.

Methods

Data were obtained from a prospective, longitudinal study of 5044 children born in western Sweden. The parents answered questionnaires at six months and one, four-and-a-half and eight years of age. The response rate to the final questionnaire at the age of eight was just over 80%. BMI was adjusted for age and gender, and a high BMI was defined as the 85th percentile and above.

Results

A multivariate analysis showed an independently increased risk of doctor-diagnosed asthma among children with a persistently high BMI, both in infancy and at school age, with an adjusted odds ratio (aOR) of 2.9 and a 95% confidence interval (CI) of 1.3-6.4. In addition, persistently high BMI was associated with an increased risk of atopic asthma (aOR 4.7, 95% CI 2.0-11.0).

Conclusion

A persistently high BMI during childhood increased the risk of doctor-diagnosed asthma at school age. The increased risk of atopic asthma suggests an effect mediated via the immune system.

SUBMITTER: Loid P

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4654247 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

A persistently high body mass index increases the risk of atopic asthma at school age.

Loid Petra P Goksör Emma E Alm Bernt B Pettersson Rolf R Möllborg Per P Erdes Laslo L Åberg Nils N Wennergren Göran G

Acta paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992) 20150427 7

<h4>Aim</h4>Being overweight has been associated with the risk of developing childhood asthma, but studies have produced conflicting results, for example with regard to possible links to allergic diseases. This study aimed to explore the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and school-age asthma.<h4>Methods</h4>Data were obtained from a prospective, longitudinal study of 5044 children born in western Sweden. The parents answered questionnaires at six months and one, four-and-a-half and eig ...[more]

PMID: 25818987

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Project description:BackgroundDelhi is one of the most polluted cities in the world with annual average ambient PM10 and PM2.5 levels exceeding the World Health Organization standards by over 15 fold. We aimed to study the prevalence of respiratory and allergic symptoms and asthma among adolescent children living in Delhi (D) and compare it with children living in lesser polluted cities of Kottayam (K) and Mysore (M) located in Southern India.Methods4361 boys and girls between the age group of 13-14 and 16-17 years from 12 randomly selected private schools from D, K, and M were invited to participate. Modified and expanded International Study for Asthma and Allergies in Children (ISAAC) questionnaires (Q) were filled by the students who also performed spirometry using the ultrasonic flow-sensor-based nDD Spirometer.Results3157 students (50.4% boys) completed the Q and performed good quality spirometry. The prevalence of asthma and airflow obstruction among children living in Delhi was 21.7% using the ISAAC Q and 29.4% on spirometry, respectively. This was accompanied by significantly higher rates of self-reported cough, shortness of breath, chest tightness, sneezing, itchy and watery eyes, itchy skin, and eczema among Delhi children (vs. K-M, all P < 0.05). Delhi children were more overweight and obese (39.8% vs. 16.4%, P < 0.0001), and this was the only risk factor that was strongly associated with asthma (odds ratio [OR]: 1.79; confidence interval: 1.49-2.14), with a more pronounced effect in Delhi children (P = 0.04). Forced expiratory volume1 and Forced vital capacity values were significantly higher in Delhi children (vs. K-M P < 0.0001). Preserved ratio impaired spirometry was more common in K-M children (P < 0.0001).ConclusionAdolescent children living in the polluted city of Delhi had a high prevalence of asthma, respiratory symptoms, allergic rhinitis, and eczema that was strongly associated with a high body mass index (BMI). Our study suggests an association between air pollution, high BMI, and asthma/allergic diseases, which needs to be explored further.

Project description:Rates of childhood obesity have increased since the mid-1970s. Research into behavioural determinants has focused on physical inactivity and unhealthy diets. Cross-sectional studies indicate an association between psychological stress experienced by parents and obesity in pre-adolescents.We provide evidence of a prospective association between parental psychological stress and increased weight gain in pre-adolescents. Family-level support for those experiencing chronic stress might help promote healthy diet and exercise behaviours in children.We examined the impact of parental psychological stress on body mass index (BMI) in pre-adolescent children over 4?years of follow-up.We included 4078 children aged 5-10?years (90% were between 5.5 and 7.5?years) at study entry (2002-2003) in the Children's Health Study, a prospective cohort study in southern California. A multi-level linear model simultaneously examined the effect of parental stress at study entry on the attained BMI at age 10 and the slope of change across annual measures of BMI during follow-up, controlled for the child's age and sex. BMI was calculated based on objective measurements of height and weight by trained technicians following a standardized procedure.A two standard deviation increase in parental stress at study entry was associated with an increase in predicted BMI attained by age 10 of 0.287?kg?m(-2) (95% confidence interval 0.016-0.558; a 2% increase at this age for a participant of average attained BMI). The same increase in parental stress was also associated with an increased trajectory of weight gain over follow-up, with the slope of change in BMI increased by 0.054?kg?m(-2) (95% confidence interval 0.007-0.100; a 7% increase in the slope of change for a participant of average BMI trajectory).We prospectively demonstrated a small effect of parental stress on BMI at age 10 and weight gain earlier in life than reported previously. Interventions to address the burden of childhood obesity should address the role of parental stress in children.

Dataset Information

A persistently high body mass index increases the risk of atopic asthma at school age.

Aim

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Publications

A persistently high body mass index increases the risk of atopic asthma at school age.

Similar Datasets

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