In recent decades, two chronic diseases have increased asthma and obesity; and through systematic reviews the relationship between the two has been known. Today we present the result of an article critically valued by doctors G. Pérez Gaxiola (Pediatric Hospital of Sinaloa / Mexico), and E. Llerena Santa Cruz (University Hospital Dr. Josep Trueta / Girona).
This is a systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies, whose authors were Egan KB, Ettinger AS and Bracken MB. To perform this review, the PubMed and Embase databases have been searched until November 2012, and Priority studies have been conducted with subjects under 18 years of age who will investigate the relationship between the diagnosis of obesity / overweight, measured by the body mass index, and the appearance of asthma (at least one year after this measure).
Studies were considered in which the definition of asthma conformed to the criteria of the "International Consensus on Pediatric Asthma" or in which the prescription of asthma medications was considered as a diagnostic criterion
The results show a significant association between overweight / obesity and asthma, which are consistent with those published in other systematic reviews and other studies that suggest the association of asthma with the consumption of fast food, or overweight with wheezing in children.
In the opinion of the doctors who have valued the original article (Childhood body mass index and subsequent physician-diagnosed asthma: a systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies), Children who are overweight, and especially obese, have a higher risk of being subsequently diagnosed with asthma, compared to children with normal BMI. The effects related to sex are not consistent.
In conclusion, it is still recommended that pediatricians and other health professionals advise a healthy lifestyle, with regular exercise and a balanced diet.
