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Do obese adults have a higher risk of asthma attack when exposed to indoor mold? A study based on the 2005 Behavioral

Xiao-Jun Wen1, Lina Balluz, Ali Mokdad

  • 1Behavioral Surveillance Branch, National Center for Chronic Diseases/Division of Adult and Community Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Hwy., MS-K66, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA.

Public Health Reports (Washington, D.C. : 1974)
|May 19, 2009
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Obese adults exposed to indoor mold did not show a significantly higher risk of asthma attacks compared to obese adults without mold exposure. Both obesity and mold exposure are risk factors for asthma, necessitating integrated treatment plans.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Health
  • Epidemiology
  • Pulmonology

Background:

  • Obesity and indoor mold exposure are recognized risk factors for asthma.
  • The combined effect of obesity and indoor mold exposure on asthma attack risk remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate if obese adults exposed to indoor mold have an increased risk of asthma attacks compared to non-obese adults.
  • To analyze the association between obesity, indoor mold exposure, and asthma attacks.

Main Methods:

  • Cross-sectional analysis of 9,668 respondents from the 2005 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System.
  • Data specifically included individuals reporting exposure to indoor mold.

Main Results:

  • Obese respondents exposed to indoor mold had a 11.4% prevalence of asthma attacks, 2.3 times higher than exposed non-obese respondents (5.0%).
  • The odds ratio for asthma attacks was 3.10 for obese individuals with mold exposure versus 2.21 for obese individuals without mold exposure, after adjustments.
  • The increased risk associated with mold exposure was similar between obese and non-obese individuals.

Conclusions:

  • Obese adults exposed to indoor mold do not necessarily face a higher asthma attack risk than obese adults without mold exposure.
  • Healthcare providers should integrate weight management and avoidance of indoor mold into asthma management strategies.
  • Both obesity and indoor mold exposure are significant risk factors for asthma attacks.

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