Obesity has been pointed out as a risk factor for higher prevalence of asthma and asthma-related symptoms in adolescents. The objective was to evaluate the relationship between the prevalence of asthma and obesity in adolescents living in Santa Maria and surroundings (state of Rio Grande do Sul, southern Brazil), applying the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) protocol. A total of 4,010 of 6,123 schoolchildren, 13 to 14 years of age, enrolled in the ISAAC phase III protocol (asthma core questionnaire) and were nutritionally evaluated: height, weight, and triceps skinfold (TSF) measurements. Prevalence of asthma (wheeze in the last 12 months) and prevalence of severe asthma (two or more affirmative responses to: more than 4 acute attacks of asthma, speech disturbance, sleep disturbance, wheezing with exercise) were evaluated and compared according to their nutritional status: obese and non-obese. Obese adolescents were defined by body mass index (BMI, in kg/m(2)) > or =85th percentile and TSF > or =85th percentile. Obese and non-obese groups were compared for prevalence of asthma and asthma severity using the Chi-square test and odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval. Analyzing all adolescents, we observed a significant positive relationship between the prevalence of obesity and affirmative responses to "wheeze ever" (OR = 1.28; 95% CI 1.08-1.52), "wheezing with exercise" (OR = 1.36; 95% CI 1.11-1.66), "asthma ever" (OR = 1.29; 95% CI 1.03-1.62), and severe asthma (OR = 1.55; 95% CI 1.12-2.14). Among the boys, there was a significant positive association between obesity and "wheeze ever" (OR = 1.49; 95% CI 1.13-1.86). In girls, there was a significant positive relationship with "asthma ever" (OR = 1.38; 95% CI 1.01-1.88) and "wheezing with exercise" (OR = 1.36; 95% CI 1.11-1.66). This cross-sectional study with adolescents living in the southern region of Brazil showed that there is a positive association between obesity and prevalence of asthma symptoms and asthma severity, a finding mainly confined to girls.

Objectives. The aim of our study is to examine the role of some factors (sociodemographic patterns, social relationship support, and trust in healthcare actors) on structure of quality of life among the Italian elderly population, by stratifying according to presence or absence of disability. Methods. Using data of the Italian National Institute of Statistics (ISTAT) survey, we obtained a sample of 25,183 Italian people aged 65+ years. Multiple Correspondence Analysis (MCA) was used to test such a relationship. Results. By applying the MCA between disabled and nondisabled elderly population, we identified three dimensions: “demographic structure and social contacts,” “social relationships,” “trust in the Italian National Health Services (INHS).” Furthermore, the difference in trust on the INHS and its actors was seen among disabled and non-disabled elderly population. Conclusions. Knowledge on the concept of quality of life and its application to the elderly population either with or without disability should make a difference in both people's life and policies and practices affecting life. New domains, such as information and trusting relationships both within and towards the care network's nodes, are likely to play an important role in this relationship.

Objective: To investigate the relationship between the increase of body mass index and the prevalence and severity of asthma in adolescents from Santa Maria, in southern Brazil, and surrounding regions. Method:A cross-sectional, observational, population-based study was carried out with 4,010 schoolchildren aged 13 and 14 years, without any gender restrictions, who answered the written questionnaire of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) phase III. Body mass index was used (kg/m²) as recommended by the World Health Organization for the assessment of nutritional status: below the fifth percentile (underweight), at or above the fifth percentile and below the 85th percentile (normal weight), at or above the 85th percentile and below the 95th percentile (overweight), and at or above the 95th percentile (obesity). The relationship between body mass index and the prevalence and severity of asthma was analyzed using the chi-square test for trend (statistical significance: p < 0.05).Results: There was a significant statistical association between the increase in body mass index and the prevalence of wheezing ever (p = 0.036), and wheezing with exercise (p = 0.008). When stratified by sex, there was a positive association just for wheezing ever (p = 0.028) for boys and wheezing with exercise (p = 0.03) for girls. Conclusion:The increase in body mass index was associated with the increase in the prevalence of wheezing ever, but not with the increase in the prevalence and gravity of asthma among adolescents. J Pediatr (Rio J)

The increase in body mass index was associated with the increase in the prevalence of wheezing ever, but not with the increase in the prevalence and severity of asthma among adolescents.

Objective: To investigate the relationship between the increase of body mass index and the prevalence and severity of asthma in adolescents from Santa Maria, in southern Brazil, and surrounding regions. Method:A cross-sectional, observational, population-based study was carried out with 4,010 schoolchildren aged 13 and 14 years, without any gender restrictions, who answered the written questionnaire of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) phase III. Body mass index was used (kg/m²) as recommended by the World Health Organization for the assessment of nutritional status: below the fifth percentile (underweight), at or above the fifth percentile and below the 85th percentile (normal weight), at or above the 85th percentile and below the 95th percentile (overweight), and at or above the 95th percentile (obesity). The relationship between body mass index and the prevalence and severity of asthma was analyzed using the chi-square test for trend (statistical significance: p < 0.05).Results: There was a significant statistical association between the increase in body mass index and the prevalence of wheezing ever (p = 0.036), and wheezing with exercise (p = 0.008). When stratified by sex, there was a positive association just for wheezing ever (p = 0.028) for boys and wheezing with exercise (p = 0.03) for girls. Conclusion:The increase in body mass index was associated with the increase in the prevalence of wheezing ever, but not with the increase in the prevalence and gravity of asthma among adolescents.J Pediatr (Rio J). 2005;81(4):305-9: Asthma, prevalence, adolescent, body mass index. ResumoObjetivo: Investigar a relação entre o aumento do índice de massa corporal e a prevalência e a gravidade da asma em escolares adolescentes residentes em Santa Maria e região (RS).Método: Estudo transversal de base populacional, do qual participaram 4.010 adolescentes (13 e 14 anos de idade), sem restrições de sexo, tendo preenchido de forma correta o questionário do International Study of Asthma and Allergies fase III (módulo asma). Utilizou-se o índice de massa corporal (kg/m²) com os seguintes percentis (Organização Mundial de Saúde) para definir o estado nutricional: abaixo do quinto (desnutrição), igual ou superior ao quinto e inferior ao 85º (normal), igual ou superior ao 85º e inferior ao 95º (sobrepeso), igual ou superior ao 95º (obesidade). Para verificar a associação entre índice de massa corporal e a prevalência e gravidade da asma, foi utilizado o teste do qui-quadrado para tendência linear, com nível de significância de 5%.Resultados: O aumento do índice de massa corporal mostrou associação positiva e significante com o da prevalência de sibilos alguma vez (p = 0,036) e a de sibilos após exercício (p = 0,008), independentemente do sexo. Quando estratificado por gênero, houve associação positiva apenas para sibilos alguma vez (p = 0,028) para meninos e sibilos após exercício (p = 0,03) para meninas.Conclusão: O aumento do índice de massa corporal associou-se com o aumento da pre...