Obesity is an underestimated and preventable risk factor for asthma. A study of children showed that in the USA, ¼ of all cases of asthma in children are associated with obesity. Scientists believe that a decrease in body weight of 4-7% helps to extend the life of a child for several years.
How does obesity affect the airways?
The first assumptions about the relationship of asthma and obesity were put forward at the end of the XX century. Being overweight has a direct effect on the airways: lung volume and capacity are often reduced.
Increased systemic inflammation due to metabolic disorders also plays a role in the development of the disease.
Obese people are more likely to suffer from gastroesophageal reflux, which damages the airways.
Epidemiological studies have revealed a striking relationship between obesity and asthma in adults many years ago. A team of scientists from Duke University is currently studying whether obesity can increase the risk of childhood asthma.
Specialists analyzed data from the National Health System. It kept medical records of more than half a million children.
Doctor visits for asthma were more common in overweight children. Obesity increased the risk of asthma by 26%.
Every 10th asthma can be prevented
18% of children in the USA are obese.
About 23 to 27% of all asthma cases can be associated with extra pounds.
According to further calculations by scientists, 10% of all cases of the disease could have been avoided if all the children had normal weight.
Since this is a retrospective analysis of a large number of electronic medical records, the study was unable to prove a causal relationship. However, clinical experience shows that proper diet in obese children with asthma often leads to improvement
What is the danger of obesity for children?
Sola Nyberg of the University of Helsinki and colleagues analyzed data from 10 studies involving 120,181 children. 16,259 developed one chronic disease over the next 11.5 years.
It was also found that the pathological condition significantly reduced the quality of older children. Scientists have concluded that weight loss helps children stay healthy and reduces the risk of serious illness.
Children with normal weight can expect an average of 29.4 years of healthy age.
When overweight, they lose 1.1 years of a healthy life. Grade 1 obesity costs 4-6 years of a healthy life. With obesity of 2 or 3 degrees, 8.5 healthy years are lost.
Other risk factors — lack of physical activity, secondhand smoke, or poverty — exacerbate the risk. Children with obesity of 2 or 3 degrees, whose parents smoke, are in the worst position.
According to scientists, the average life expectancy without chronic diseases is 57.3 years. Lack of exercise combined with obesity reduces life expectancy to 50 years.
Socioeconomic status is also an important risk factor.
With a high income and education, children with normal weight can expect 70.5 years of a healthy life. With a lack of money and education, children with obesity of 2/3 degrees will not live more than 60 years.
You can increase life expectancy if you reduce body weight in a timely manner.
Is underweight also dangerous?
Researchers also studied the effects of underweight. For children with a BMI of less than 18.5, they found a loss of 1.8 years of healthy life. The effects of underweight are difficult to determine in epidemiological studies. Many chronic diseases, especially cancer, lead to weight loss that can occur before a diagnosis is made.
Underweight is not affected by the risk of asthma. Children with low weight rarely suffer from chronic respiratory diseases.
Weight loss is the main goal of parents who wish to maintain the health of the child. The risk of asthma can be reduced if the child reaches a normal body mass index for his age. Parents should seek help from a qualified pediatrician if there is an unreasonable increase in weight or overeating.
