title: Lipid profiles in children with and without asthma: interaction of asthma and obesity on hyperlipidemia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The joint effect of obesity and asthma on hyperlipidemia has never been explored. We aim to examine (1) the association of dyslipidemia and asthma, (2) the interaction effect of asthma and obesity on hyperlipidemia, and (3) whether a gender difference existed in the above relationships.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between 2009 and 2010, 10- to 15-year-old children were recruited from 7 schools and 2 hospitals in Northern Taiwan. The population consisted of 237 asthmatic children and 225 non-asthmatic controls, and was further divided into four groups: non-obese controls, obese controls, non-obese asthmatics, and obese asthmatics. Measurements included anthropometric measures and blood samples for analysis of metabolic factors. The Cook's criteria were used to define childhood metabolic syndrome. General linear models were used to analyze how lipid profiles were associated with obesity and asthma.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein cholesterol levels increased progressively in the group order obese asthmatics>non-obese asthmatics>obese controls>non-obese controls. In boys, low density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were significantly higher in obese asthmatics compared to obese non-asthmatics, with a mean difference of 6.2 mmol/L in the general linear model. We also discovered a significant interactive effect of obesity and asthma on hyperlipidemia in boys (p for interaction=0.03).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Asthma was associated with higher low density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and this association was amplified in overweight and obese subjects. A gender difference was observed in the joint effect of obesity and asthma on hyperlipidemia.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Yang Ching
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Kuan Yen
authors.initials: KY
authors.lastname: Tung
authors.forename: Ching Hui
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Tsai
authors.forename: Ming Wei
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Su
authors.forename: Pei Chuan
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Chien Han
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Yungling Leo
authors.initials: YL
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001249:Asthma / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006761:Hospitals; D006801:Humans; D006949:Hyperlipidemias / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D007249:Inflammation / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D016014:Linear Models; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D012574:Schools; D017678:Sex Distribution; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013624:Taiwan / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D008055:Lipids