Obesity and allergy in schoolchildren

Monday, 03 November 2008 19:54

A study by Japanese scientists aimed to determine whether and how childhood obesity is associated with allergic diseases such as atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis and allergic conjunctivitis. Increasing epidemiologic evidence has already indicated obesity is a risk factor for the onset and development of adult bronchial asthma, especially in females. 

A questionnaire was sent to the parents of 50,086 Japanese schoolchildren, with more than 45,000 returned.  Overall, childhood obesity was found to have positive associations with bronchial asthma prevalence and atopic dermatitis severity, and negative associations with allergic rhinitis and allergic conjunctivitis prevalence, especially among boys.

Changes in the immunologic balance accompanied by obesity might have different effects on each type of allergic disease. The authors believe that by exploring the mechanisms by which childhood obesity affects allergic status, new management options for childhood allergy should emerge.

Reference:
Kusunoki et al. 2008. Obesity and the prevalence of allergic diseases in schoolchildren Pediatric Allergy and Immunology Vol. 19 pp 527–534.