The relationship between asthma morbidity and the nutritional status in inner city black and hispanic children

Abstract

The incidence and severity of asthma is increasing especially in inner city black and Hispanic children. Studies have suggested an association between high levels of dietary sodium and low levels of dietary vitamin C intake with asthma morbidity. Furthermore, investigators have found severe growth retardation in asthmatics, while others have failed to find any effect. These associations have not yet been investigated in minority populations. This cross-sectional study evaluates the relationship of nutrient intake, height and weight status, and the degree of asthma morbidity in inner city black and Hispanic children with asthma. Dietary intakes (food frequency questionnaire), anthropometrics (weight-for-age ratio and height-for-age ratio), and pulmonary function measurements were assessed in all black and Hispanic children (age 3–20 years) attending a Pediatric Pulmonary Clinic (N=110). Degree of asthma morbidity was determined by pulmonary function status, number of emergency room visits, asthma medications, and school absenteeism. Asthma patients with more severe morbidity were found to be significantly heavier for their height after controlling for age and sex (p<0.001). When compared with patients with less severe morbidity, these patients had significantly more emergency room visits (5.9 vs 4.4, p<0.001), greater number of asthma medications (p<0.001), lower pulmonary function values (p<0.02), and missed more days of school (3.5 vs 2.9, p<0.03). There was no difference in energy consumption between the two groups. The patients with more severe morbidity had significantly less vitamin C intake (477% RDA vs 558% RDA, p<0.01), and a higher median sodium intake (727% RDA vs 355% RDA). In conclusion, the children with more severe asthma morbidity were heavier and had a higher intake of sodium and a lower intake of vitamin C when compared to those with less severe indicators. These results provide support for previous studies that have indicated an association between dietary sodium and vitamin C intake and asthma morbidity.