Allergy Asthma Respir Dis.  2014 Sep;2(4):243-250. 10.4168/aard.2014.2.4.243.

Association of body mass index with asthma, allergy rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis among adolescents in Incheon, South Korea

• Koo H
• Lee SM
• Lee SP
• Han E

• KMID: 2262391
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4168/aard.2014.2.4.243

Abstract

PURPOSE
The current study investigated the association of body mass index with asthma and allergic diseases among adolescents in Incheon, South Korea.
METHODS
The study sample included 2,140 teenagers living in Incheon. The standard questionnaires of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood study were used to survey the prevalence of asthma, allergic rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis. In addition, family history of allergic diseases, height, and weight were collected via self-report.
RESULTS
The average body mass index was higher in male adolescents with asthma (21.38 kg/m2) than in those without (20.19 kg/m2). Body mass index of male adolescents was associated asthma and atopic dermatitis (odds ratio [OR], 1.074; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.008-1.143; P=0.026 for asthma and OR, 1.072; 95% CI, 0.998-1.150; P=0.056 for atopic dermatitis) after adjustment for family history of allergic diseases, age, and school as covariates.
CONCLUSION
Asthma, allergic rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis are of highly prevalent in adolescents living in Incheon. Obesity may be associated with asthma in male adolescents.

Keyword

Asthma; Allergic rhinitis; Atopic dermatitis; Adolescent; Body mass index

MeSH Terms

Adolescent*
Asthma*
Body Mass Index*
Dermatitis, Atopic*
Humans
Hypersensitivity*
Incheon
Korea
Obesity
Prevalence
Rhinitis*
Surveys and Questionnaires

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