Pediatric obesity and its effects on asthma control

Purpose: To explore if being overweight or obese influenced asthma control in pediatric patients ages 7-18 years with persistent asthma seen in an asthma specialty office. Data sources: A retrospective chart analysis of children with an asthma diagnosis seen within an asthma specialty practice from December 1, 2009 to May 31, 2010 was utilized. Normal weight, overweight, and obese children were compared. The following four variables were examined: the number of controller asthma medications prescribed; the number of systemic corticosteroids prescribed in 1 year for asthma exacerbations; FEV1% of predicted; and FEV1/FVC% of predicted. Conclusions: No statistically significant difference was found between the three weight groups for the number of controller medications prescribed, number of systemic corticosteroids in 1 year, or FEV1/FVC. A statistically significant difference was found for FEV1%, F (2,430) = 5.51, p =.004. Overweight children had the highest mean FEV1%, 92.47 +/- 16.74%. A statistically significant difference was found between the normal weight and overweight groups, p = .0104 and the overweight and obese groups, p = .0233. Implications for practice: In clinical practice, obese children often report more asthma symptoms. This inquiry did not show an objective decline in asthma control associated with overweight or obesity.