Obesity and Asthma: An Intriguing Link in Childhood and Adolescence

Background: Asthma is a chronic disease characterized by airway inflammation. Obesity is common and may be associated with asthma. Objective: The objective of this study is to investigate the possible relationship between asthma control and obesity in children. Methods: A nationwide study included 462 children and adolescents, 319 (69%) males, mean age 11.3 years. Asthma control grade, asthma control test, body mass index calculated as percentiles, and lung function were evaluated. Results: Obesity affected 64 (13.9%) children with asthma. This outcome underlined the high prevalence of obesity in children and adolescents with asthma. On the other hand, obesity did not affect the asthma control as well as lung function. Conclusion: This study showed that body weight did not affect asthma control and lung function in a large population of children and adolescents with asthma followed in Italian tertiary allergy/asthma centers and adequately managed.