Abstract:
The aim of this study was to prove the relation between
childhood obesity and asthma severity and that weight reduction improves
asthma outcome. The study included 40 children with age range of 6-12
years divided into two groups; group I included 20 overweight moderate
persistent asthmatics who will follow a weight reduction diet for 6 months
and group II including 20 non obese moderate persistent asthmatics. All
patients were assessed initially and after 6 months clinically and by
Spirometric examination. Comparing both groups I and II at the beginning
of the study as regards their spirometric results; group II had higher
values in all parameters (FVC, FEV1, PEF and FEF 25-75) with p values
of 0.001, 0.004, 0.001 and 0.001, respectively. There was also a marked
statistically significant difference between all parameters of spirometry
in group I before and after weight loss with a p-value of 0.001 in all
parameters. Obesity is a cause of poor asthma control and weight reduction
can be used as an adjunctive to decrease the need for medications and
improve quality of life in obese children with persistent asthma.
N. El Helaly, Y. Kamel, E. Abd Elaziz, A. Elwan and M. Nabih, 2009. Childhood Obesity and Asthma Severity: Is There a Link?. Journal of Biological Sciences, 9: 259-263.
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