Overweight Children More Likely to Suffer with Asthma

By Dietitian, Juliette Kellow BSc RD

A new study has revealed that overweight children are more likely to suffer with asthma than normal weight children.

The study identified the Body Mass Index (BMI) of almost 3,000 children at the age of 5 years and then again at 14 years. It also looked at the symptoms of asthma reported by the children’s mums at these two ages.

BMI was not related to asthma in the five year olds, but by the time the children reached 14 years, those who were overweight were more likely to suffer with asthma symptoms. An increase in BMI during this time was also associated with an increased risk of asthma.

WLR says

This is an interesting study and certainly warrants further investigation.

As rates of obesity have increased in children, so has the incidence of asthma. As a result, it makes sense to carry out more research to see if a link can be proven.

According to Asthma UK – a charity dedicated to asthma sufferers – losing weight can help in managing asthma, and when combined with a more active lifestyle, can help to improve lung function.

One thing is for sure though. Helping children to maintain a healthy weight throughout childhood and the teenage years won’t do them any harm but will also lower their risk of getting many other diseases in later life such as heart disease, certain cancers, high blood pressure and diabetes.