According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the rates of obesity in kids has doubled and the rates in teens has quadrupled in the past 30 years.
This evidence has put childhood obesity on the list of serious public health problems in the U.S., and its effects can impact many aspects of a child's overall health. Another major disease impacting young people across the nation is asthma, and while there has long been speculation about the relationship between the two, it has never been confirmed that there is a correlation.
However, a recent study and subsequent article have indicated that obesity may, in fact, contribute to the symptoms of asthma. While the connection is rather complex, and the implications are still uncertain, there are many factors that lead to both conditions and their relationship is not surprising to professionals.
"The relationship between obesity and asthma in adults, which shows that being overweight and obese can precede the onset of asthma, is supported by a number of studies," said allergist Perdita Permaul, lead author, in an official statement. "There isn't as much evidence for children, but the progression from obesity to asthma, rather than the other way around, seems probable."
When it comes to preventing allergy and asthma symptoms, best practice is to treat your body with care by feeding it healthy foods, getting plenty of rest and exercising regularly. For kids, doing all of these things, as well as having the appropriate asthma relief on hand, is crucial to keeping them healthy. For more updates on asthma and allergy prevention, stay tuned in to this blog or visit us online.
