Joint effects of birth outcomes and childhood body mass index on respiratory symptoms

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Updated: May 23, 2026

Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study
09:36

Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study

Published on: February 2, 2017

Wen-Hua Wang1, Pau-Chung Chen, Wu-Shiun Hsieh

  • 1Institute of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.

The European Respiratory Journal
|March 24, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Low birth weight, premature birth, and higher childhood body mass index (BMI) independently increase children's risk for respiratory symptoms. These factors may combine to create a larger respiratory burden in children.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Respiratory Health
  • Environmental Health
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Childhood body mass index (BMI) and birth outcomes are known risk factors for respiratory health.
  • Limited research exists on the combined impact of birth outcomes and childhood BMI on respiratory symptoms.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the joint effects of birth outcomes and childhood BMI on respiratory symptoms in a large cohort of Taiwanese children.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized data from 78,011 Taiwanese middle-school children surveyed between 1995-1996 (International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood).
  • Standardized height and weight measurements were collected.
  • Survey data was linked with birth registration records.

Main Results:

  • Higher childhood BMI was significantly associated with all respiratory symptoms, particularly severe phenotypes.
  • Low birth weight (LBW), premature birth (pre-term), and small for gestational age (SGA) were linked to increased allergic respiratory symptoms.
  • LBW, pre-term birth, and childhood BMI were identified as independent risk factors, not directly influenced by each other in relation to BMI.

Conclusions:

  • LBW, pre-term birth, and elevated childhood BMI are independent risk factors contributing to respiratory symptoms in children.
  • Children with a history of LBW, pre-term birth, or SGA, coupled with a higher current BMI, may experience a greater respiratory health burden.

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