title: The association of sedentary lifestyle with childhood asthma. The role of nurse as educator.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  To provide a summary of the existing published knowledge on the association between sedentary lifestyle and childhood asthma. Twelve years ago, the first longitudinal studies carried out in children showed a relationship between physical activity and asthma. Several epidemiological studies confirmed these findings, with sedentary lifestyle predicting the onset of asthma.
  
  
  METHODS
  A systematic review of epidemiological studies was conducted within the MEDLINE database. Epidemiological studies on children subjects, published in English were included in the review. A comprehensive literature search yielded 50 studies for further consideration. Following the application of the eligibility criteria, we identified 11 studies.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A positive association and an excess risk of asthma during childhood were revealed to sedentary lifestyle. The findings proved the association between childhood asthma and sedentary lifestyle. The correlation between bronchial asthma and sedentary life during childhood and identifying whether preventable or treatable risk factors exist needs to be determined. Further research on the topic is essential for safer and standardised conclusions.
  Asthma can be controlled when managed properly. The role of the nurse as an educator should establish and maintain a relationship with patients in order to help them manage their disease. The steps towards asthma management will help paediatric patients to guide their approach to the condition.
authors.affiliation: National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Department of Nursing, Greece. Electronic address: evakonstantaki@nurs.uoa.gr.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Konstantaki
authors.affiliation: Third Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Attikon University Hospital, Greece.
authors.forename: K N
authors.initials: KN
authors.lastname: Priftis
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Harokopio University, Greece.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Antonogeorgos
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Papoutsakis
authors.affiliation: National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Department of Nursing, Greece.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Drakouli
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Matziou
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001249:Asthma / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000451:nursing; D002648:Child; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D006801:Humans; D009732:Nursing Care; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D012306:Risk; D057185:Sedentary Behavior
keywords: Asthma; Leisure time; Physical activity; Sedentary lifestyle; Students