Posted on May 9, 2008 in Latest News
Obesity is generally believed to be a risk factor for several life threatening diseases including type II diabetes, heart disease as well as some forms of cancer. Evidences derived from recent research studies are mounting that obesity may cause asthma also.
Reports have stated that nearly 75 % of emergency visits for asthma are normally found among obese patients and studies also established the fact that obesity pre-dates asthma. The chances for developing asthma maximize with rising obesity cases among individuals.
Some Information as How Asthma Is Related to Obesity
We are providing with some information that will make you understand better about the connection between asthma and obesity.
- Obesity is potential enough to worsen the effect of asthma as well as it may also mask the severity of the disease in standard tests, as it is revealed by a new study.
- Researchers have established some significant comparative differences in how the lungs and the airways respond to the simulated asthma attack in obese and non-obese individuals, the ‘American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine’ reported.
- The research study has also found a direct link between obesity and development of dynamic hyperinflation (it’s a condition that comes when air is inhaled but can’t be exhaled). Basically this condition is more common in obese patients than the healthy ones.
- Study suggests that the fattest children are 77% more prone to develop asthma symptoms. Moreover, it is also suggested that the increase of weight may lead to the inflammation in the respiratory tract that can be the key factor in stirring up asthma.
- Basically, the rising weight can affect the lungs and the airways also, that can potentially lead a kid developing asthma.
- During gaining more weight, an individual get some mechanical impact of the increasing weight. This impact can affect the lungs and the airways in resulting with an increased responsiveness that is a hallmark of asthma.
- An individual’s body mass index is being calculated by the way of dividing weight in kilograms by height in square meters. So if the BMI comes more than 30 then that particular person is considered obese.
- According to the examinations done by the researchers, immune system cells are known to be responsible for the lung irritation.
- The study, by the Medical Research Council-Asthma UK centre based in London, suggested that these particular cells also make promelanin concentrating hormone and this is a protein that can “trick” the brain into conveying hunger messages to the entire body.
See What Experts Say
We are presenting some of the opinions of some experts.
- The team, led by Dr Erika von Mutius, of University Children’s Hospital, Munich, Germany wrote: “BMI may be an independent risk factor for the development of asthma.” Appropriate strategies for the reduction of body weight in children may contribute to a reduced incidence of asthma in childhood.”
- The research team that is led by Susan Chinn, asserts that the trend in kids getting heavier gradually and it does not explain the spate of asthma in children. They write: “This may be explained by obesity being a marker of recent lifestyle differences now associated with both asthma and obesity.”
- Dr Warren Lenney, consultant paediatrician and spokesperson for the British Thoracic Society (BTS) said: “This is an interesting study, but the jury is still out on the link between obesity and asthma in children. Asthma can affect people of all sizes, and further research is needed into this area to be able to draw firmer conclusions.”
- A spokeswoman for the National Asthma Campaign said: “It is essential that we find out why more people are getting this disease. “Lots of factors seem to be associated with the rise in asthma and obesity and lack of exercise are two of the latest areas of interest”.
Source : Asthma and obesity ‘link’
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