Is Body Mass Index Associated with Asthma in Children?

Introduction: Asthma is a disease with a complex pathogenesis. Obesity seems to be crucial risk factor for the development and worse clinical outcome of the disease. The aim of the study was to assess the relation between the body weight and the severity of asthma and preliminary analysis of factors influencing nutritional status among asthmatic children. Material and methods: Complete data have been available for 101 children with mild persistent, moderate persistent and severe persistent asthma. The questionnaires have been completed according to the physical and spirometric examination, analysis of medical documentation and anamnesis. Weight and height were measured in all children. To estimate the body mass index (BMI) values we used Body Mass Index Percentile Charts for Age. The control group consisted of 45 healthy school children. Results: Mean BMI percentile for age in asthmatic children did not significantly differ from healthy children (53.4 ± 32.3 and 59.5 ± 30.5 respectively). Higher BMI percentiles for the age were observed among boys in comparison to girls (p = 0.018). We did not find statistically significant relation between values of BMI percentiles and severity of asthma, although higher BMI values in boys with severe persistent asthma were noticed. Body mass index percentiles did not correlate with time of treatment and the doses of inhaled corticosteroids. Food allergy and atopic dermatitis in the past influenced BMI values. Conclusions: Mean BMI percentile for age in asthmatic children did not significantly differ from healthy children. The correlation between BMI values and severity of asthma and treatment with inhaled corticosteroids were not found.