Waist size link to asthma
20 October 2004

Obesity and a larger waistline are risk factors for developing asthma as an adult, suggests a new study.

Researchers from University Hospital in Linköping, Sweden, investigated possible links between asthma, body weight and waist measurement in a group of 3,281 people aged 20-50 years from one community.

The scientists noted the body mass index (BMI) of each individual - which measures body weight in relation to height - and their waist circumference, from patient records in 1992-1993. They then looked at which of the group went on to be diagnosed with asthma in the years 1995-2000.

Analysing the data, the researchers found that having a large waist measurement was more of a risk factor than having a high BMI or being classed as 'obese'; men with waistlines of more than 102cm had a five-fold risk of developing the condition.

To rule out the possibility that the overweight people would have developed asthma anyway, the researchers tested their hypothesis further by dividing the group who had asthma into those who were atopic (ie more prone to allergies) and those who were not. Their results showed that among atopic patients, high BMI or a bigger abdominal measurement did not increase the risk of developing asthma. However, there was a significant correlation between obesity and asthma symptoms in the non-atopic group.

'There is long-standing evidence that obesity and asthma severity are linked. This study suggests that being overweight increases the risk of developing asthma,' said Martin Dockrell, Asthma UK's Assistant Director of Policy & Public Affairs.

'The report also refers to earlier research which found that if you have asthma and you are overweight, then getting your weight down again and getting fitter can help manage your asthma. And indeed, that's what we are told by many people with asthma.'