Nutrition as a Modifiable Factor in Optimizing Respiratory Health: Evidence from Pulmonary Function Tests

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Pulmonology
• Nutritional Science
• Public Health

Background:

• Pediatric asthma represents a significant chronic disease burden in children.
• Modern lifestyles, including Western diets and sedentary behavior, are linked to increased asthma prevalence and severity.
• Non-pharmacological interventions, particularly dietary modifications, are being explored for better asthma management and lung function optimization.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current literature on the influence of dietary patterns on pediatric lung function.
• To assess the impact of Western and Mediterranean diets on asthma control and lung function.
• To evaluate the role of maternal diet during pregnancy and micronutrient status in pediatric lung health.

Main Methods:

• Narrative review of existing scientific literature.
• Analysis of studies examining dietary patterns (Western, Mediterranean) and lung function.
• Investigation of micronutrient status (selenium, zinc, iron, vitamin D) and maternal dietary intake effects on offspring lung function (FEV1, FVC).

Main Results:

• The Mediterranean diet is associated with improved lung function in children with asthma, while the Western diet correlates with poorer asthma control.
• Deficiencies in micronutrients such as selenium, zinc, iron, and vitamin D are linked to impaired lung function.
• Maternal intake of fiber, vitamins A and E, zinc, and selenium during pregnancy shows a correlation with better lung function (FEV1, FVC) in offspring.

Conclusions:

• Dietary evaluation and specific recommendations can play a crucial role in the management of pediatric asthma.
• While evidence suggests benefits of certain diets and micronutrients, current data lacks clarity for direct clinical intervention strategies.
• Further research is needed to establish definitive dietary guidelines for optimizing lung function in children with asthma.