open access
Vol 1, No 1 (2013)
Review article
Published online: 2013-07-11
Get Citation
Is there a link between asthma and obesity?
,
Folia Medica Copernicana 2013;1(1):1-4.
open access
Vol 1, No 1 (2013)
REVIEW ARTICLES
Published online: 2013-07-11
Abstract
The association between obesity and several diseases is well known, but an association with asthma hasbeen much less described. Epidemiological studies have shown that obesity is an independent risk factorfor asthma in children and adults. Fundamental is the influence of the definition of the type of asthma onthe link between those two diseases. Several reports have shown a stronger association between obesityand clinical asthma phenotypes than with physiological and inflammatory asthma phenotypes. Amongthe mechanisms that have been proposed to explain the obesity-asthma relationship, the immunological,hormonal and environmental are the most important; however, the impact of genetic factors should alsobe considered. Environmental factors such as high-calorie and low antioxidant diet, low maternal vitaminconsumption and in particular low vitamin D have been recently discussed. Serum concentration of 25(OH)Dhas been found to be insufficient in children with asthma. Low 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration leadsto increasing asthma severity and requires more intensive glucocorticoids treatment. 25(OH)D may havea protective effect against asthma exacerbations as it enhances steroid responsiveness. The nature ofthe asthma-obesity relationship is very complex and involves several mechanisms. Among these, bronchialsmooth muscle cells dysfunction, inflammatory mediators and oxidative stress, dietary and geneticfactors play major roles.
Abstract
The association between obesity and several diseases is well known, but an association with asthma hasbeen much less described. Epidemiological studies have shown that obesity is an independent risk factorfor asthma in children and adults. Fundamental is the influence of the definition of the type of asthma onthe link between those two diseases. Several reports have shown a stronger association between obesityand clinical asthma phenotypes than with physiological and inflammatory asthma phenotypes. Amongthe mechanisms that have been proposed to explain the obesity-asthma relationship, the immunological,hormonal and environmental are the most important; however, the impact of genetic factors should alsobe considered. Environmental factors such as high-calorie and low antioxidant diet, low maternal vitaminconsumption and in particular low vitamin D have been recently discussed. Serum concentration of 25(OH)Dhas been found to be insufficient in children with asthma. Low 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration leadsto increasing asthma severity and requires more intensive glucocorticoids treatment. 25(OH)D may havea protective effect against asthma exacerbations as it enhances steroid responsiveness. The nature ofthe asthma-obesity relationship is very complex and involves several mechanisms. Among these, bronchialsmooth muscle cells dysfunction, inflammatory mediators and oxidative stress, dietary and geneticfactors play major roles.
Get Citation
About this articleTitle
Is there a link between asthma and obesity?
Journal
Issue
Article type
Review article
Pages
1-4
Published online
2013-07-11
Page views
739
Article views/downloads
2280
Bibliographic record
Folia Medica Copernicana 2013;1(1):1-4.
Authors
Gabriele Fulgheri
Grażyna Sypniewska