Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 24, 2026

Noninvasive Sampling of Mucosal Lining Fluid for the Quantification of In Vivo Upper Airway Immune-mediator Levels
05:31

Noninvasive Sampling of Mucosal Lining Fluid for the Quantification of In Vivo Upper Airway Immune-mediator Levels

Published on: August 7, 2017

Dietary patterns and respiratory symptoms in pre-school children: the Generation R Study

Ilse I M Tromp1, Jessica C Kiefte-de Jong, Jeanne H de Vries

  • 1Department of Paediatrics, Erasmus Medical Center, P.O. Box 2060, 3000 CB Rotterdam, The Netherlands.

The European Respiratory Journal
|February 25, 2012
PubMed

Insights

A Western diet in early childhood is linked to increased respiratory symptoms like wheezing and infections in preschoolers. This association was partly explained by higher energy intake from the diet.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Nutrition
  • Respiratory Health
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Early childhood diet is a potential factor influencing respiratory symptom development.
  • Understanding the link between specific dietary patterns and respiratory health in preschoolers is crucial for public health.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between childhood dietary patterns and respiratory symptoms in Dutch preschoolers.
  • To determine if energy intake mediates the relationship between dietary patterns and respiratory symptoms.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective cohort study of 2,173 children aged ≤ 4 years.
  • Dietary patterns identified using principal component analysis at 14 months of age.
  • Respiratory symptoms and infections assessed via validated questionnaires.

Main Results:

  • High adherence to a "Western" dietary pattern was associated with increased frequent wheeze at 3 years (RR 1.39) and shortness of breath and respiratory tract infections at 4 years (RR 1.44, 1.54).
  • The association between the "Western" diet and respiratory symptoms was partially explained by energy intake.
  • A "Western" diet pattern showed a significant link to adverse respiratory outcomes.

Conclusions:

  • A "Western" dietary pattern in early childhood may elevate the risk of frequent respiratory symptoms and infections in preschool children.
  • Energy intake plays a partial role in mediating the observed association between diet and respiratory health.
  • Dietary interventions focusing on reducing "Western" diet components could potentially benefit respiratory health in young children.

More Related Videos

Breath Collection from Children for Disease Biomarker Discovery06:09

Breath Collection from Children for Disease Biomarker Discovery

Published on: February 14, 2019

Visualizing Field Data Collection Procedures of Exposure and Biomarker Assessments for the Household Air Pollution Intervention Network Trial in India09:33

Visualizing Field Data Collection Procedures of Exposure and Biomarker Assessments for the Household Air Pollution Intervention Network Trial in India

Published on: December 23, 2022

Related Concept Videos

Microbiota of the Respiratory Tract01:29

Microbiota of the Respiratory Tract

The human respiratory tract, comprising the upper and lower segments, serves as a critical interface with the external environment. The upper respiratory tract (URT)—including the nostrils, sinuses, pharynx, and oropharynx—is heavily colonized by microbes, while the lower respiratory tract (LRT), composed of the larynx, trachea, bronchi, and lungs, was long thought to be sterile. However, recent molecular studies have revealed that the lungs are not devoid of microbes but act more like...
Common Respiratory Disorders01:31

Common Respiratory Disorders

Respiratory disorders, a prevalent health concern globally, are generally divided into two primary categories: upper and lower respiratory tract disorders. The categorization is based on the area of the respiratory system they affect.
Upper respiratory disorders impact the airways above the vocal cords, encompassing areas like the nose, sinuses, and throat. Various conditions fall under this category, including the common cold and allergic rhinitis. These disorders can stem from several causes,...
Physical Assessment of the Respiratory Tract I: Health History01:28

Physical Assessment of the Respiratory Tract I: Health History

Physical assessment of the respiratory tract is critical to patient care. It allows healthcare professionals to identify and manage various respiratory conditions. The process involves a combination of subjective and objective data collection.
Subjective Data
Subjective data provides vital information about the patient's health history and symptoms. This data is typically collected through interviews in which patients describe their experiences, symptoms, and concerns.
Health history and key...
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease III: Chronic Bronchitis Features01:24

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease III: Chronic Bronchitis Features

Chronic bronchitis is a key phenotype of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), characterized by airway-centered inflammation and mucus overproduction. It develops from long-term exposure to harmful particles or gases, most commonly cigarette smoke, which triggers a persistent inflammatory response.Cellular and Structural ChangesInflammation initially affects the large bronchi and later the smaller airways, with infiltration by immune cells, including neutrophils, macrophages, and...
Physical Assessment of the Respiratory Tract II: Inspection01:27

Physical Assessment of the Respiratory Tract II: Inspection

Physical assessment of the respiratory tract through inspection is a crucial step in understanding the patient's respiratory health. It provides insights into the functioning of the respiratory system, the musculoskeletal structure, and even the patient's nutritional status. This comprehensive approach involves observing several vital aspects: chest configuration, breathing patterns, respiratory rates, skin color, and use of accessory muscles.
Chest Configuration
The chest configuration can...
Assessment of Ventilation II: Respiratory Depth and Rhythm01:29

Assessment of Ventilation II: Respiratory Depth and Rhythm

Respiratory Depth
Respiratory depth measures the volume of air inhaled or exhaled during a breath. It can vary from shallow to deep and typically remains consistent when a person is at rest or asleep. Occasionally, individuals will automatically inhale deeply, known as sighing, which inflates the lungs with more air than normal breathing.
To assess respiratory depth, observe the degree of chest excursion or movement: