Is obesity associated with asthma in young children?
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between obesity and asthma in a population-based sample of Canadian children.


METHODS
Baseline data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Children and Youth were used in this cross-sectional study. We included 11199 children age 4 to 11 years whose biological mother reported data on asthma, height, and weight. Body mass index was categorized, and obesity was defined as body mass index >or=85th percentile. Children with asthma had parents who reported the diagnosis, and they took prescribed inhalants, had wheezing or an attack in the previous year, or had their activities limited by asthma. Multiple logistic regression was used.


RESULTS
The prevalence of asthma was 9.9%. Maternal history of asthma was a risk factor for asthma among all children. Single child status and maternal depression were risk factors for girls. The odds ratio for asthma, comparing highest and lowest body mass index categories, was 1.02 (99% confidence interval, 0.70-1.46) for boys and 1.06 (99% confidence interval, 0.67-1.69) for girls.


CONCLUSIONS
This study suggests that there is no statistical association between obesity and asthma among Canadian children age 4 to 11 years.
To
Teresa
T
Population Health Sciences, Research Institute, and the Division of Respiratory Medicine, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. teresa.to@sickkids.ca
Vydykhan
Tatiana N
TN
Dell
Sharon
S
Tassoudji
Marjan
M
Harris
Jennifer K
JK
D001249:Asthma / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002170:Canada / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000150:complications; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D009034:Mother-Child Relations; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D009863:Only Child / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors