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No association between overweight and asthma or allergy in adolescence after wheezing in infancy

Marja Ruotsalainen1, Mari K Hyvärinen, Antti Saari

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, University of Eastern Finland and Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland. marja.ruotsalainen@kuh.fi

Acta Paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992)
|November 30, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Childhood wheezing did not predict adolescent obesity or asthma. Adolescent weight status showed no significant link to asthma or allergies following early-life bronchiolitis.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric respiratory health
  • Adolescent medicine
  • Obesity and chronic disease

Background:

  • Infants hospitalized for wheezing are at risk for later respiratory issues.
  • The relationship between childhood wheezing, subsequent weight status, and adolescent asthma/allergy requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the association between weight status (overweight/obesity) and asthma, allergy, and respiratory symptoms in adolescents.
  • To determine if a history of infantile bronchiolitis influences this association.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of adolescents (age 15-18) previously hospitalized for wheezing in infancy was surveyed.
  • Body Mass Index (BMI) standard deviation scores (BMI-SDS) classified participants as normal weight, overweight, or obese.
  • Asthma, allergy, respiratory symptoms, and medication use were compared between weight groups.

Main Results:

  • Overweight or obesity was present in 23.3% of the adolescent cohort.
  • No significant association was found between overweight/obesity and doctor-diagnosed or self-reported asthma or allergies.
  • Use of inhaled corticosteroids also showed no significant link to weight status.

Conclusions:

  • Adolescent weight status, including overweight and obesity, is not significantly associated with asthma or allergies in individuals with a history of infantile wheezing.
  • Early-life bronchiolitis does not appear to predispose individuals to asthma or allergies based on their adolescent weight status.
Abstract

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