Relationship among obesity, asthma and pulmonary function

Obesity and asthma are public health issues. Many studies have demonstrated a relation between both conditions. There is a positive correlation between body mass index and asthma; the risk of suffering from asthma is greater as body mass increases. The probability for developing asthma in an obese school-age child may be as high as 50%. An association between obesity and asthma has been described more frequently in females, particularly in adult surveys. Obesity may directly affect asthma phenotype by mechanical effects in the respiratory tract, gastroesophageal reflux, production of proinflammatory cytokines in fat tissue (interleukin 6, tumor necrosis factor, leptin, adiponectin), activation of common genes, or by increased estrogen production. Obesity may worsen asthma symptoms as well as causing poor control of the condition. Weight loss improves symptomatology and pulmonary function, along with reducing the use of antiasthmatic medication. Therefore, it is necessary that management of obese asthmatic patients includes a weight control program.