The relationship between asthma and obesity in children: is it real or a case of over diagnosis?
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether obesity among children is associated with an increased incidence of asthma.


METHODS
Five thousand nine hundred eighty-four children participated in a lung health study in the Ashkelon region, Israel. A lung health questionnaire was completed and they underwent spirometry. Body mass index (BMI) was then calculated for each child.


RESULTS
Three hundred two children (5.05%) were above the 95th percentile for BMI and considered obese. Obese children tended to wheeze more than the non-obese children 14.5% vs. 10.5%, respectively (p<0.038). Asthma (physician diagnosis) was diagnosed more often among obese children than non-obese 7.2% vs. 3.9%, respectively (p<0.008). Inhaler use was more prevalent among obese children than non-obese 15.9% vs. 8.8%, respectively (p<0.001). Bronchial hyperreactivity was significantly greater among the non-obese asthmatic children compared with their obese counterparts, 352 (51.4%) vs. 10 (27.8%), respectively (p<0.001). Chest symptoms and asthma were more frequent in obese than non-obese boys.


CONCLUSIONS
Asthma, wheezing, and inhaler use were more common in obese children than in non-obese children. Symptoms were more prevalent among obese boys. Increasing BMI among children is a risk factor for asthma, which may in reality be obesity-related chest symptoms that mimic asthma.
Bibi
Haim
H
Department of Pediatrics, Barzilai Medical Center, Ashkelon, Israel. haim_76407@yahoo.com
Shoseyov
David
D
Feigenbaum
David
D
Genis
Marina
M
Friger
Michael
M
Peled
Ronit
R
Sharff
Shimon
S
D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001249:Asthma / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007557:Israel / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications*; D012135:Respiratory Sounds; D012737:Sex Factors
D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents