Body mass index in Belgian schoolchildren and its relationship with sensitization and allergic symptoms

Gysel, Dirk Van; Govaere, Elke; Verhamme, Katia; Doli, Erenik; Baets, Frans De

doi:10.1111/j.1399-3038.2008.00774.x

Cited by 47 publications

(54 citation statements)

References 41 publications

(56 reference statements)

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“…If one assumes that those without a history of allergy are less likely to have allergic asthma, Chen's observations suggest that obesity has a stronger relationship with non-allergic than allergic asthma. On the other hand, we have the results of several research groups that indicate a significant association between obesity and atopic sensitization (1,13,24) . It seems that the mechanisms for atopic sensitization associated with obesity need to be explored, and further cross-sectional studies are required.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Obesity – a risk factor for asthma, but not for atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis and sensitization

Sybilski

Raciborski²,

Lipiec³

et al. 2014

Public Health Nutr.

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Objective: To analyse the relationship between obesity and overweight and the prevalence of allergic diseases and sensitization, and the impact of gender and place of residence. Design: Questionnaire based on those used in ISAAC (International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood) and ECRHS (European Community Respiratory Health Survey). Setting: Our study involved populations of the eight largest cities and one rural region in Poland (each with over 150 000 inhabitants). Subjects: The study included 18 617 participants (24·2 % aged 6-7 years, 25·4 % aged 13-14 years, 50·4 % adults aged 20-44 years) in eight cities and one rural area. The out-patient study involved 4783 patients (25·7 %); we performed skin prick testing with fifteen aeroallergens. Results: Overweight was found in 16·13 % of participants (9·11 % of 6-7-year-olds, 4·90 % of 13-14-year-olds and 25·61 % of adults), obesity in 6·41 % (7·16 %, 2·45 % and 8·36 %, respectively). In adults, overweight (OR = 1·34) and obesity (OR = 1·80) increased the prevalence of asthma, especially in women (OR = 1·53, OR = 2·01). Among 13-14-year-olds the prevalence was higher only in the obese (OR = 1·76). Overweight (OR = 1·99) and obesity (OR = 2·17) affected the incidence of doctordiagnosed asthma in 6-7-year-olds. Overweight (OR = 0·81) and obesity (OR = 0·76) reduced the prevalence of allergic rhinitis in men. There was no relationship between BMI and asthma in people from rural areas. Obesity and overweight did not affect the frequency of sensitization to aeroallergens. Conclusions: Overweight and obesity increased the prevalence of symptomatic asthma in adults, especially in women. In 13-14-year-olds, only obesity increased the prevalence of asthma. In children, overweight was associated with increased prevalence of clinically diagnosed and declared asthma and a trend towards atopy. Higher BMI was negatively associated with the prevalence of allergic rhinitis in overweight and obese man. There was no correlation between BMI and sensitization to aeroallergens.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Some data showed a relationship of obesity and asthma only in females. Among a number of studies that have been conducted among children and adults, some have demonstrated an increased risk of atopy among overweight or obese individuals (11,12) , while others have found no association between adiposity and atopy (13,14) .…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Obesity – a risk factor for asthma, but not for atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis and sensitization

Sybilski

Raciborski²,

Lipiec³

et al. 2014

Public Health Nutr.

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“…The results from previous studies on BMI and allergic sensitization are inconclusive. Some studies showed an increased risk of sensitization, [19][20][21] mostly to inhalant allergens, 19,20 and sometimes the risk is restricted to certain subgroups of the population. 19,20 In contrast, other studies showed no association between BMI BMI from 1 to 7 years for children without asthma at 8 years (solid line) and for children with asthma at 8 years (dashed line) in the BAMSE study.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…17 The association between high BMI and allergic sensitization has been less studied, and the results are inconsistent. 8,[17][18][19][20][21] Thus, the association between change in BMI status and timing of overweight in relation to the occurrence of asthma and allergic sensitization merits additional study.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Early Childhood Overweight and Asthma and Allergic Sensitization at 8 Years of Age

Magnusson

Kull

Mai³

et al. 2012

Pediatrics

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WHAT'S KNOWN ON THIS SUBJECT: Overweight has been associated with an increased risk of asthma in children, although the published literature is contradictory. How change in overweight status during childhood affects asthma risk has not been well studied.WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS: Among children whose weight has normalized, high BMI during the first 4 years of life does not increase the risk of asthma at school age. Current high BMI is associated with increased risk of asthma and sensitization to inhalant allergens. abstract OBJECTIVES: Our aim was to examine the associations between high BMI and changes in BMI status during the first 7 years of life and asthma and allergic sensitization at age 8 years.METHODS: A birth cohort of newborn infants was followed for 8 years. Repeated parental questionnaires provided information on environmental exposures and health outcomes. Information on height and weight during childhood was retrieved from preschool and school health care records. The analyses included the 2075 children for whom information was available on weight and height, as well as on asthma, at age 8 years. RESULTS:A high BMI ($85th percentile) at age 1, 4, and/or 7 years was associated with an increased risk of asthma at age 8 years. However, no significant association was observed among children with high BMI at age 12 and/or 18 months (early age) or at age 4 years who developed a normal BMI by age 7 years. The risk was increased among children with high BMI at age 7 years, regardless of their earlier weight. Moreover, we observed an increased risk of sensitization to inhalant allergens among children with high BMI at age 7 years. CONCLUSIONS: Our study indicates that high BMI during the first 4 years does not increase the risk of asthma at school age among children who have developed a normal weight by age 7 years. However, high BMI at age 7 years is associated with an increased risk of asthma and sensitization to inhalant allergens.

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“…Finally, in 1576 Belgian schoolchildren aged between 3.4 and 14.8 years, an increased prevalence of allergic sensitization was found but only in underweight girls, again showing no correlation between weight and allergic respiratory symptoms, eczema or rhino-conjunctivitis. 44 Asthma and obesity: more than a spurious association Although obesity may simply be a marker of lifestyle habits also associated with asthma, several specific mechanisms can be proposed for their association.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Asthma and obesity in childhood: on the road ahead

2010

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Epidemiological data show a link between asthma and obesity, suggesting many different mechanisms that may underlie the association. However, diagnosis of asthma is often self-reported by patients or caregivers. Definition of asthma is crucial, particularly in childhood. Obesity can be associated with symptoms commonly attributed to asthma, such as wheezing, dyspnoea and sleep apnoea. Obese subjects are less fit and may have more frequent bouts of breathlessness on exertion accompanied by an exaggerated symptom perception. Therefore, the link between the two diseases should be analysed by focusing not only on reported diagnosis of asthma but also on objective markers that can better characterize the asthma phenotype. These markers should include lung function parameters, bronchial hyper-reactivity, atopic sensitization and indices of lung inflammation. As we look back and move forward, a multidisciplinary approach is increasingly necessary to understand the complexity of obesity and asthma, keeping in mind that diet and exercise could influence both diagnosis and treatment. In the meantime, in clinical settings, physicians should be cautious about diagnosing asthma in obese children on the basis of selfreported symptoms alone and should confirm the diagnosis by using objective measurements and marker evaluations that can better identify asthma phenotype and exclude overdiagnosis.

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Body mass index in Belgian schoolchildren and its relationship with sensitization and allergic symptoms

Cited by 47 publications

References 41 publications

Obesity – a risk factor for asthma, but not for atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis and sensitization

Obesity – a risk factor for asthma, but not for atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis and sensitization

Early Childhood Overweight and Asthma and Allergic Sensitization at 8 Years of Age

Asthma and obesity in childhood: on the road ahead

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