Overweight, Obesity, and Incident Asthma: A Meta-analysis of Prospective Epidemiologic Studies

Although obesity has been implicated as an asthma risk factor, there is heterogeneity in the published literature regarding its role in asthma incidence, particularly in men. To quantify the relationship between categories of body mass index (BMI) and incident asthma in adults and to evaluate the im...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:American journal of respiratory and critical care medicine 2007-04, Vol.175 (7), p.661-666
Main Authors: Beuther, David A, Sutherland, E. Rand
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
A. Asthma and Allergy
Adult
Adults
Anesthesia. Intensive care medicine. Transfusions. Cell therapy and gene therapy
Asthma
Asthma - epidemiology
Biological and medical sciences
Body Mass Index
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma
Contingency tables
Epidemiologic Studies
Epidemiology
Female
Humans
Incidence
Intensive care medicine
Investigations
Male
Medical sciences
Meta-analysis
Metabolic diseases
Obesity
Obesity - complications
Overweight
Pneumology
Risk Assessment
Sex Factors
Womens health
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Summary:Although obesity has been implicated as an asthma risk factor, there is heterogeneity in the published literature regarding its role in asthma incidence, particularly in men. To quantify the relationship between categories of body mass index (BMI) and incident asthma in adults and to evaluate the impact of sex on this relationship. Online bibliographic databases were searched for prospective studies evaluating BMI and incident asthma in adults. Independent observers extracted data regarding annualized asthma incidence from studies meeting predetermined criteria, within defined categories of normal weight (BMI < 25), overweight (BMI, 25-29.9), and obesity (BMI >or= 30). Data were analyzed by inverse-variance-weighted, random-effects meta-analysis. Stratified analysis between BMI categories and within sex was performed. Seven studies (n=333,102 subjects) met inclusion criteria. Compared with normal weight, overweight and obesity (BMI >or= 25) conferred increased odds of incident asthma, with an odds ratio (OR) of 1.51 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.27-1.80). A dose-response effect of elevated BMI on asthma incidence was observed; the OR for incident asthma for normal-weight versus overweight subjects was 1.38 (95% CI, 1.17-1.62) and was further elevated for normal weight versus obesity (OR, 1.92; 95% CI, 1.43-2.59; p
ISSN:1073-449X
1535-4970
DOI:10.1164/rccm.200611-1717OC