Obesity, Diet, and Activity in relation to Asthma and Wheeze among Rural Dwelling Children and Adolescents

Abstract

Aims and Objectives. We investigated associations between weight status, activity level, and diet with asthma or wheeze as well as the interrelationship between these factors. Methods. We conducted a case-control study of 6–18-year olds from 2005 to 2007. Cases (n = 87) were subjects reporting episodes or breathing medication use along with doctor-diagnosed asthma or wheeze in the past 12 months. Controls were randomly selected (n = 208) and without asthma or wheeze. Data regarding health outcomes, diet, and activity were obtained from questionnaire. Objectively measured height and weight were collected. Results. In the adjusted analysis, there was a trend (P = 0.07) towards an increased risk of asthma or wheeze associated with high fast food and/or pop consumption. Among cases, a significantly lower proportion (66%) classified as overweight participated in hard exercise in ≥9 of the past 14 days compared to those who were not overweight (86%). This pattern was not seen among controls (76% participating in hard exercise versus 78%, resp.). However, based on perceived weight status by the parent, the patterns were similar regardless of case-control status. Conclusions. Overweight status may negatively impact activity level among those with asthma or wheeze. Efforts should be made to encourage healthy food choices, and activity programming must consider the needs of overweight children with asthma.

Is the consumption of fast foods associated with asthma or other allergic diseases?

“…Table indicates that definitions of fast foods varied across all included studies. Table shows the key characteristics of the 16 studies included in this analysis, published from 2001 to 2015, including 13 cross‐sectional studies and 3 case–control studies . Sample size ranged from 144 to 500 827.…”

“…Hence, it has been hypothesized that the consumption of fast foods may exacerbate the development and progression of asthma and allergic diseases . However, the data available to date are heterogeneous, with some, but not all studies, reporting that asthma and allergic diseases are associated with the consumption of fast foods …”

Relationships among obesity, physical activity and sedentary behavior in young adolescents with and without lifetime asthma

“…In general, adolescents with asthma have been found to be less physically active than those without asthma (14, 15). On the other hand, others have found that teens with asthma reported comparable degree of activity (16, 20, 22, 23) or higher levels of activity (23) than children without asthma. The mixed findings may have been due to lack of attention to potential gender differences as none of these studies examined girls and boys separately.…”

“…Findings reported in the literature are conflicted on whether it is asthma or overweight/obesity that influences such behaviors (13–16). Arguments that favor obesity as the culprit suggest that physiologic mechanical effects, decreased lung volume due to obesity and/or deconditioning due to a sedentary lifestyle lead to an ever decreasing activity (32).…”

“…However, in adolescence, physical activity decreases with age, particularly in girls (11, 12). If adolescents are overweight/obese and have asthma, their physical activity could be limited either by asthma (13–15), or their overweight/obesity status (16). Obesity and overweight in adolescents with asthma are associated with increased asthma symptoms (17).…”