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  • Original Article
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Rapid adiposity growth increases risks of new-onset asthma and airway inflammation in children

International Journal of Obesity volume 41, pages 1035–1041 (2017)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Background/Objectives:

We aim to (1) examine the influence of long-term adiposity status/short-term adiposity changes on asthma with high or low fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), and (2) to determine the differences in long-term adiposity status/short-term adiposity changes on atopy, airway inflammation and pulmonary function.

Subjects/Methods:

We recruited 2450 fourth- to sixth-grade children from the nationwide Taiwan Children Health Study. Data regarding various adiposity indicators, atopic status, pulmonary function tests and asthma outcomes were collected annually. New-onset asthma was stratified by airway inflammation status using FeNO. The generalized estimating equation was used for analyzing longitudinal relationships between long-term adiposity status/short-term adiposity changes and new-onset asthma. Individual adiposity growth slopes were obtained using a hierarchical linear model to establish the relationships between short-term adiposity changes and asthma among children with high airway inflammation.

Results:

We found long-term adiposity status predicted childhood asthma with low FeNO, whereas short-term adiposity changes may increase risks of childhood asthma with high FeNO. Long-term adiposity status reduced pulmonary function, whereas short-term adiposity increase were associated with atopic diseases and airway inflammation.

Conclusions:

Obesity-induced asthma could be mediated by high or low airway inflammation, depending on the velocity of increase in adiposity. Rapid adiposity growth may increase risks of childhood asthma and airway inflammation.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank the field workers, teachers and other school staff who supported the data collection, and all the parents and children who participated in this study. This study was supported by grants (#101-2314-B-532-002-MY3 and #104-2314-B-532-002-MY3) from the Ministry of Science and Technology in Taiwan.

Author contributions

Dr Y-CC contributed the cohort data collection, statistical analysis, interpretation of data, and writing. Dr A-HC assisted in the critical part of the statistical analysis. Professor J-RC and Professor T-HL contributed to critically revising the manuscript for intellectual content. Professor W-HP critically reviewed the manuscript. Professor YLL reviewed the study design and supervised the study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Taipei City Hospital, ZhongXing Branch, Taipei, Taiwan

    Y-C Chen

  2. School of Nutrition and Health Sciences, College of Nutrition, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan

    Y-C Chen & J-R Chen

  3. Institute of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan

    A-H Chih & Y L Lee

  4. Health Center, Office of Student Affairs, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan

    A-H Chih

  5. Graduate Institute of Injury Prevention and Control, College of Public Health, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan

    T-H Liou

  6. Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan

    W-H Pan & Y L Lee

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  1. Y-C Chen
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Correspondence to Y L Lee.

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Chen, YC., Chih, AH., Chen, JR. et al. Rapid adiposity growth increases risks of new-onset asthma and airway inflammation in children. Int J Obes 41, 1035–1041 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1038/ijo.2017.67

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