Modern life makes children allergic. A cross-sectional study: associations of home environment and lifestyles with asthma and allergy among children in Tianjin region, China.

Abstract

In the past 60years, the prevalences of asthma and allergy among children have increased around the world. Neither genetic nor outdoor environmental factors can explain this increase. We performed a cross-sectional study of 7366 children in Tianjin, China, on associations of home environment and lifestyles with asthma and allergy. The prevalences of diagnosed asthma, rhinitis and eczema among 0- to 8-year-old children in the Tianjin area were 4%, 9% and 39%. Home environment and lifestyle, together with infections,were strong risk factors.For asthma and allergy, the population attributable fraction (PAF) due to modern floors and wall coverings (i.e., laminated wooden floors and painted walls compared to tile floors and lime-coated walls) was 22%. Window condensation in winter and air conditioner use in summer, both of which are proxies for less ventilation, accounted for 7-17% of rhinitis and eczema. Cesarean delivery accounted for 10% of eczema symptoms. We developed a modern life index from appropriate home characteristics and lifestyle and food consumption habits and found it to have a clear dose-response relationship with asthma and allergy in Tianjin children. The results indicate that a "modern" home environment together with a modern lifestyle is associated with increased prevalences of asthma and allergies among children. Appropriate indoor environmental interventions and education of children's caregivers are important in the management of childhood asthma and allergy.