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Published on: February 2, 2017
Asthma control and obesity in urban African American children
Deborah G Loman1, Christina G Kwong2, Lisa D Henry3
1a Saint Louis University School of Nursing , St. Louis , Missouri , USA.
Insights
Non-obese girls and males without allergic rhinitis showed better asthma control. School-based asthma programs should focus on healthy lifestyles and managing allergies in urban children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Asthma Research
- Public Health Interventions
- Allergic Diseases
Background:
- Asthma control remains a challenge in low-income, urban populations, particularly among African American children.
- Factors such as body mass index (BMI), gender, and allergic rhinitis may influence asthma control.
- Understanding these relationships is crucial for developing targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between various factors including BMI, gender, age, medication use, environmental exposures, and allergic rhinitis with asthma control.
- To test the hypothesis that non-obese children would exhibit better asthma control.
- To inform asthma management strategies in school-based programs for underserved communities.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of baseline data from a longitudinal school-based asthma program in a Midwest urban area.
- Inclusion of 360 children aged 4-15 years from the 2012-2013 and 2013-2014 program cohorts.
- Asthma control classification using 2007 National Asthma Education and Prevention Program criteria, with multiple ordinal regression analysis.
Main Results:
- 61% of participants had well-controlled asthma; 29% were obese.
- Non-obese females (normal weight or overweight) demonstrated significantly better asthma control compared to obese females.
- Males without allergic rhinitis had significantly better asthma control than males with allergic rhinitis; no BMI differences were observed in males.
Conclusions:
- Asthma control is positively associated with non-obesity in girls and the absence of allergic rhinitis in boys.
- School-based asthma management programs in low-income urban settings should incorporate healthy lifestyle promotion and allergic rhinitis management.
- Innovative approaches are needed to effectively address asthma care disparities in vulnerable populations.
Objective:
To examine the relationship between body mass index (BMI), gender, age, controller medication use, household smoke exposure, season, and allergic rhinitis status with asthma control in a group of lower income, African American children. We hypothesized that non-obese children would have better asthma control.
Methods:
Baseline data from a longitudinal study of children in a school-based asthma program in a Midwest urban area were analyzed. 360 children, ages 4-15 years, who were enrolled in either the 2012-2013 or 2013-2014 program were included. Asthma control was classified using criteria from the 2007 National Asthma Education and Prevention Program. Multiple ordinal regression was performed.
Results:
The median age was 9 years, 61% had well-controlled asthma, and 29% were obese. The model included all main effects plus two interaction terms and was significant (χ2(7) = 22.17, p =.002). Females who were normal weight (OR, 2.78; 95% CI, 1.38-5.60, p =.004) or overweight (OR, 3.12; 95% CI, 1.26-7.72, p =.014) had better asthma control than obese females. For males, there were no differences by BMI category but males without allergic rhinitis had significantly better asthma control (OR, 2.23; 95% CI, 1.25-3.97, p =.006) than those with allergic rhinitis.
Conclusions:
Non-obese girls and non-allergic males had better asthma control. Promotion of healthy activity and nutrition as well as management of allergic rhinitis should be part of the asthma plan in school-based programs in low income urban areas. Innovative approaches to address asthma care in low income populations are essential.
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