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Dietary habits, physical activity, and self-reported rhinosinusitis in children and adolescents
Katarzyna Pazdro-Zastawny1, Joanna Krajewska1, Mateusz Kolator1
1Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland.
Insights
Pediatric rhinosinusitis is linked to older age and unhealthy habits like excessive screen time and poor diet. Promoting physical activity and healthier eating may help prevent this common childhood illness.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric medicine
- Public health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Pediatric paranasal rhinosinusitis is a common upper respiratory tract infection in children, causing significant morbidity.
- It typically results from viral infections of the nasal mucosa, leading to inflammation of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the correlation between pediatric rhinosinusitis, physical activity, and dietary habits in school-aged children.
- To identify potential risk factors for developing recurrent rhinosinusitis in children.
Main Methods:
- A cohort study involving 2,458 elementary school pupils aged 6 to 17 years in Wrocław, Poland.
- Data collected through surveys on physical activity, dietary patterns, and rhinosinusitis prevalence.
- Statistical analysis to determine correlations between rhinosinusitis and various lifestyle factors.
Main Results:
- Rhinosinusitis prevalence increased with age, being higher in adolescents (13-17 years) compared to younger children.
- Significant positive correlations were found between rhinosinusitis and factors such as older age, infrequent physical activity (swimming, physical education), high computer use, and specific dietary habits (e.g., consuming milk, salty snacks, sweet carbonated drinks, low fruit intake, irregular meals).
Conclusions:
- Establishing preventive strategies for recurrent upper respiratory tract infections is crucial for reducing rhinosinusitis incidence.
- Promoting healthier dietary habits and regular physical activity in children and adolescents can support adequate immune response and inflammatory control.
Background:
Pediatric paranasal rhinosinusitis is one of the more common pediatric diseases of the upper respiratory tract and it entails significant morbidity. Most commonly, it is caused by a viral infection of the nasal mucosa, which spreads through the natural passages within the cavities of the paranasal sinuses, leading to inflammation of the mucosa that lines the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses.
Methods:
The objective of this cohort study was to assess whether there is a correlation between pediatric rhinosinusitis, physical activity, and selected dietary habits among pupils aged 6 to 16 years from elementary schools in Wrocław, Poland. This study - as part of the pro-health program "Let us Get the Kids Moving" - is also aimed at establishing factors that potentially predispose children to developing RS. The survey study was conducted on a group of 2,458 children and adolescents from elementary schools in Wrocław. The age of the examined children ranged from 6 to 17 years (mean = 10.8 years; standard deviation = 2.7).
Results:
Rhinosinusitis was more common in the children aged 13-17 years than in those aged 6-9 years (6.4% vs. 1.5%; p < 0.001) or 10-12 years (6.4 vs. 2.6%; p < 0.001). The study revealed a significant positive correlation between rhinosinusitis development and several variables: age > 11 years, attending swimming classes fewer than 1-2 times a week, using a computer, consuming milk, salty snacks, and carbonated sweet drinks, consuming fruit fewer than 1-2 times a week, not attending physical education classes, eating fewer than 4 meals, and not eating breakfast at home (p < 0.05).
Conclusion:
It is of great importance to establish preventive measures against recurrent upper respiratory tract infections that may predispose children to rhinosinusitis. Introducing healthier, traditional dietary habits and regular physical activity in children and adolescents may result in normal and adequate immune response and proper functioning of the inflammatory control system.
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