[Obesity as a risk factor for complications during acute respiratory infections in children]
Loreto Fuenzalida1, Diego F García-Díaz2
1Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
Insights
Childhood obesity is linked to severe viral respiratory infections. This review suggests obesity
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Obesity is a growing global health concern in children.
- Acute respiratory infections (ARIs) are a major cause of illness and death in children.
- The 2009 influenza A (H1N1) pandemic highlighted obesity as a risk factor for severe disease.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review existing evidence on the association between childhood obesity and the severity of respiratory diseases.
- To explore the potential role of obesity as a risk factor for viral respiratory infections in children.
Main Methods:
- A literature search was conducted to identify relevant studies.
- Nine articles were selected from 40 retrieved articles for a comprehensive review.
Main Results:
- Evidence suggests a correlation between childhood obesity and a more severe course of respiratory illnesses.
- Obesity may act as an independent risk factor, potentially due to its immunomodulatory effects.
Conclusions:
- Childhood obesity may exacerbate viral respiratory infections.
- Further research is crucial, especially given rising obesity rates and the potential for future viral pandemics.
Abstract:
Obesity has a high prevalence among children. On the other hand, acute respiratory infections especially of viral origin, are an important cause of morbidity and mortality in this age group. During the recent pandemic of influenza A (H1N1) virus, obesity was identified as a novel independent risk factor for severity multiple markers of the disease. We reviewed the evidence associating obesity with a worse course of respiratory diseases in children. Nine out of 40 retrieved articles, were chosen to be reviewed. We concluded that there is evidence suggesting that immunomodulatory effects of obesity could be considered as a novel risk factor. Thus, bearing in mind the drastic rise in obesity prevalence around the world and in Chile, and the latent possibility of new respiratory pandemics caused by viruses, studying the possible effect of obesity aggravating viral respiratory infections will become important.
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