[Are obesity and overweight risk factors of asthma?]

It has recently been suggested that overweight and obesity could be possible risk factors for asthma. A review of clinical and epidemiological studies of children and adults shows that a significant association between a high body mass index (BMI) and asthma can often be found. Yet, at present, we think that it is too early to conclude that overweight and obesity should be regarded as established risk factors for asthma. In particular, there is a need for more longitudinal studies to confirm the association between asthma and overweight and to shed light on which condition develops first. In addition, there is also a need for clinical studies of possible biological mechanisms that could link these two common conditions.