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Updated: Aug 19, 2026

Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study
Published on: February 2, 2017
Obesity increases the risk of incident asthma among adults
E Rönmark1, C Andersson, L Nyström
1The Obstructive Lung in Northern Sweden Studies, Dept of Medicine, Sunderby Central Hospital of Norrbotten, Luleå, Sweden. eva.ronmark@nll.se
Abstract:
The annual incidence of asthma in adults in northern Sweden has been estimated at 2.3 per thousand population. Risk factors for incident asthma among adults were studied in a case-referent study based on incident cases of asthma during 1995-1999. The healthcare providers reported suspected cases of incident asthma. After clinical examination, 309 (65% female) of 473 reported subjects were included. Inclusion criteria were a history of incident asthma (onset <12 months) and verified bronchial variability. Referents were randomly selected and stratified by age, sex and area of residence. The significant risk factors were hay fever, a family history of asthma, ex-smoking status and elevated body mass index (25.0-29.9 and > or =30). The risk factor pattern was similar for females and males, and increased body mass index was a significant risk factor for both males and females, as well as for allergic and nonallergic subjects. In conclusion, in addition to hay fever, a family history of asthma, allergic sensitisation and ex-smoking status, increased body mass index was a significant risk factor for incident asthma independent of sex and allergic status.
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