Relationship Between Childhood Obesity and Asthma

Overview of Childhood Obesity and Asthma Trends

Recent research has explored the connection between childhood obesity and asthma, particularly examining whether early-onset asthma influences the risk of developing obesity. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 40% of Americans are classified as obese. This condition is a primary contributor to various health issues, including diabetes, hypertension, and stroke. The CDC also reports a rising incidence of asthma in the U.S., affecting about one in every twelve Americans. In Europe, lung diseases, including asthma, lung cancer, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, account for one in eight deaths.

Understanding the Link Between Asthma and Obesity

The interplay between asthma and obesity remains unclear. Asthma may hinder physical activity in children, potentially leading to increased fat accumulation. Additionally, high doses of inhaled corticosteroids used in asthma management may heighten the risk of obesity among affected children. The significance of this relationship is underscored by the fact that approximately 6.5 million children in the U.S. suffer from asthma.

Recent Study Findings

A recent study published in the European Respiratory Journal investigated the relationship between childhood obesity and asthma, focusing on whether early-onset asthma elevates obesity risk. The research involved 21,130 children born between 1990 and 2008 from various European countries, including Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. Researchers monitored non-obese children aged three to four for the onset of obesity until they reached eight years of age, assessing physician-diagnosed asthma, wheezing, and allergic rhinitis during their early years.

The findings revealed that children diagnosed with asthma had a 66% increased likelihood of becoming obese compared to their non-asthmatic peers. Children exhibiting wheezing symptoms were found to be 50% more likely to develop obesity than those without such symptoms. Notably, children with active asthma were twice as likely to become obese compared to those without asthma or wheezing.

Conclusion and Implications

These findings align with previous smaller longitudinal studies conducted in the U.S. that examined the connection between asthma and obesity. The authors concluded that early-onset asthma and the presence of wheezing symptoms may significantly heighten the risk of obesity in later childhood.

Written by Pratibha Duggal

References

Contreras, Zuelma A., et al. “Does early onset asthma increase childhood obesity risk? A pooled analysis of 16 European cohorts.” European Respiratory Journal 52.3 (2018): 1800504.
Asthma may contribute to the childhood obesity epidemic. https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-10/uosc-amc100418.php