Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 12, 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

28.1K

The potential role of vitamin D in the link between obesity and asthma severity/control in children

Phuong Vo1, Megan Bair-Merritt, Carlos A Camargo

  • 1Division of Pediatric Pulmonary and Allergy, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA 02118, USA.

Expert Review of Respiratory Medicine
|May 8, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Childhood obesity worsens asthma control and severity. Acute respiratory infections and poor corticosteroid response may mediate this link, with vitamin D potentially playing a role.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Pulmonology
  • Public Health
  • Endocrinology

Background:

  • Childhood obesity and asthma are significant global health concerns.
  • Obesity is linked to higher asthma risk and increased severity.
  • Mechanisms include acute respiratory infections (ARI) and reduced corticosteroid effectiveness.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the relationship between childhood obesity and asthma.
  • To explore the mediating roles of ARI and corticosteroid responsiveness.
  • To discuss the potential influence of vitamin D in this pathway.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review summarizing current evidence.
  • Analysis of proposed mechanisms linking obesity and asthma.
  • Discussion of vitamin D's role and supplementation trials.

Main Results:

  • Obesity is associated with worse asthma control and severity in children.
  • Increased ARI frequency and decreased corticosteroid responsiveness are potential mediators.
  • Low vitamin D status in obesity may impact ARI risk and treatment response.

Conclusions:

  • Obesity exacerbates childhood asthma through pathways involving infections and inflammation.
  • Vitamin D may modulate these pathways, offering a potential therapeutic target.
  • Further research is needed to confirm vitamin D's role in managing childhood asthma in obese children.

Keywords:
acute respiratory infectionasthmachildrencorticosteroid responsivenessobesityvitamin D

More Related Videos

Noninvasive Sampling of Mucosal Lining Fluid for the Quantification of In Vivo Upper Airway Immune-mediator Levels05:31

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

Published on: August 7, 2017

11.1K
Intraperitoneal Glucose Tolerance Test, Measurement of Lung Function, and Fixation of the Lung to Study the Impact of Obesity and Impaired Metabolism on Pulmonary Outcomes08:30

Intraperitoneal Glucose Tolerance Test, Measurement of Lung Function, and Fixation of the Lung to Study the Impact of Obesity and Impaired Metabolism on Pulmonary Outcomes

Published on: March 15, 2018

14.9K

Related Concept Videos

Asthma: Pathogenesis and Management01:20

Asthma: Pathogenesis and Management

Asthma is a chronic pulmonary condition involving inflammation of the airways, hyper-reactivity, and reversible obstruction of the airways. This condition can significantly impact a person's quality of life, making breathing difficult and leading to distressing symptoms.
Asthma is classified as allergic and non-allergic. Allergens such as dust mites, pollen, and pet dander trigger allergic asthma, while factors like cold air, intense emotions, or exercise can induce non-allergic asthma.
1.7K
Asthma-I: Introduction01:29

Asthma-I: Introduction

Asthma is a chronic respiratory ailment that requires careful management due to its varying symptoms and influencing factors. It is characterized by airway inflammation, bronchial hyperresponsiveness, and reversible airflow obstruction, leading to symptoms like wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing. The symptom frequency and intensity may vary considerably over time. It is also linked to immune system responses to allergens and irritants, highlighting the complex...
3.7K
Asthma-II: Pathophysiology and Classification01:26

Asthma-II: Pathophysiology and Classification

Asthma is a prevalent chronic respiratory condition marked by inflammation and hyperresponsiveness of the airways. Its pathophysiology involves complex interactions among inflammatory pathways, immune responses, and neural mechanisms.
Additionally, environmental and genetic factors play crucial roles in determining an individual's susceptibility to asthma and the severity of their condition.
Critical processes in asthma pathophysiology include:
5.0K
Asthma-IV: Diagnostic and Management01:30

Asthma-IV: Diagnostic and Management

The diagnosis and management of asthma are comprehensive, encompassing clinical assessments, lung function tests, and pharmacological interventions. Here's an overview:
Clinical Assessment for Asthma:
This is the first step in diagnosing and managing asthma. It includes:
3.3K
Asthma-III: Symptoms and Complications01:24

Asthma-III: Symptoms and Complications

Asthma, a common chronic respiratory condition, is classified considering the frequency and severity of symptoms alongside lung function impairment. Understanding this classification is essential for appropriate treatment and management. Here's a detailed look at the classification of asthma and its clinical features and complications:
Classification of Asthma
3.7K
Role of Skin in Vitamin D Synthesis01:23

Role of Skin in Vitamin D Synthesis

The skin plays a crucial role in the synthesis of vitamin D, a vital nutrient for various physiological processes in the body. Vitamin D is unique because it can be synthesized in the skin through a series of chemical reactions triggered by exposure to ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation from sunlight.
The solar UV B rays (290-315 nm) are absorbed by the skin, and 7-dehydrocholesterol (provitamin D3) photolyzes it to previtamin D3, which undergoes a rapid transformation to vitamin...
9.0K