Abstract
Objective To assess the possible relationship of bodyweight and body mass index (BMI) to childhood asthma and allergic rhinitis. Setting Chilaw divisional secretariat area. Design Prospective observational study. Method Children aged 13-14 years in 20 out of 22 schools were assessed from April to June 2003 using the internationally validated ISAAC questionnaire on asthma and allergies. The children and parents filled the questionnaire. Height and weight of children were measured using a standardized procedure. Reference ranges for the normal BMI data were obtained from reference growth charts of Ministry of Health. Data was analysed using Epi info version 6.0. Results Total number of children recruited was 866. 185 (21%) gave a positive response to ever having had wheezing. Allergic rhinitis was found in 233 [27%]. Only 97 [11%] had both asthma and allergic rhinitis. The BMI was 85 th centile in 41 (4.7%).
Highlights
A number of studies have attempted to look at the relationship of bodyweight and body mass index [BMI] to childhood asthma and allergies[1,2,3,4,5]
Reference ranges for the normal BMI data were obtained from reference growth charts of Ministry of Health
No significant association was found between BMI and asthma/allergic rhinitis in [13,14] year old school children in the Chilaw area
Summary
A number of studies have attempted to look at the relationship of bodyweight and body mass index [BMI] to childhood asthma and allergies[1,2,3,4,5]. A positive association between asthma and obesity has Consultant Paediatrician, General Hospital, Chilaw, Senior House Officer in Paediatrics, General Hospital, Chilaw, Consultant Paediatrician, Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children, Colombo.
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