J Asthma Allergy Clin Immunol.  2003 Jun;23(2):358-365.

Associations between asthma and anthropometric indices in korean adults

• Ahn HC
• Hwang KY
• Nam HS
• Park JS
• Lee JH
• Park SW
• Kim DJ
• Park CS

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Obesity is related to asthma symptoms and air way hyperresponsiveness. Both asthma and obesity are becoming worldwide chronic health problems. This study was designed to evaluate the association between asthma and anthropometric indices such as body mass index (TMI), body fat percent, and waist-hip ratio (WHR) in Korean adults. METHODS: Three thousand twenty-four subjects aged. 20-79 years, were enrolled in the survey during April - December, 2001. A standardized questionnaire was used to collect general information and asthma symptoms. Obesity was defined as BMI > or =25kg/m2. Over body fat and central obesity was defined as more than 75th percentile of body fat percent and WHR, respectively. RESULTS: The prevalence of asthma in korean adults was 29.6%(male 29.9% and female 29.33%). Asthma was significantly higher in elderly age (> or = 50 years), cigarette smokers. alcohol drinkers. patients with a family history of parent's asthma, and obesity. After adjusting for possible confounders. BMI [OR=1.33 (1.12-1.59)], over body fat [OR=1.28(10.7-1.54)] and central obesity [OR=1.41(1.17-1.70)] remained significant predictors of asthma. CONCLUSION: Our results showed that general obesity and central obesity are potential risk factors of asthma in relatively non-obese korean adults. Cigarette smokers, alcohol drinkers, patients with a family history of parent's asthma, and obesity may aggravate asthma, whereas regular exercise reduces the attacks of asthma.

Keyword

asthma; obesity; body fat percent

MeSH Terms

Adipose Tissue
Adult*
Aged
Asthma*
Body Mass Index
Female
Humans
Obesity
Obesity, Abdominal
Prevalence
Risk Factors
Tobacco Products
Waist-Hip Ratio
Surveys and Questionnaires