Diet and respiratory health in children from 11 Latin American countries: evidence from ISAAC Phase III
File(s)
Published version
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Background and Aim The burden of childhood asthma and
its risk factors is an important but neglected public health
challenge in Latin America. We investigated the association
between allergic symptoms and dietary intake in
children from this region.
Methods As part of the International Study of Asthma and
Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) Phase III, questionnaire
collected dietary intake was investigated in relation to risk
of parental/child reported current wheeze (primary outcome)
and rhino-conjunctivitis and eczema. Per-country
adjusted logistic regressions were performed, and combined
effect sizes were calculated with meta-analyses.
Results 143,967 children from 11 countries had complete
data. In children aged 6–7 years, current wheeze was
negatively associated with higher fruit intake (adjusted
odds ratio [aOR] 0.65; 95% CI 0.74, 0.97). Current rhinoconjunctivitis
and eczema were statistically negatively
associated with fruit intake (aOR 0.72; 95% CI 0.64, 0.82;
and OR 0.64, 95% CI 0.56, 0.74, respectively).
Vegetable intake was negatively associated with risk of
symptoms in younger children, but these associations were
attenuated in the 13–14 years old group. Fastfood/burger
intake was positively associated with all three outcomes in
the older children.
Conclusion A higher intake of fruits and vegetables was
associated with a lower prevalence of allergic symptoms in
Latin American children. Conversely, intake of fastfood was positively associated with a higher prevalence of
wheeze in adolescents. Improved dietary habits in children
might help reduce the epidemic of allergic symptoms in
Latin America. Food interventions in asthmatic children
are needed to evaluate the possible public health impact of
a better diet on respiratory health.
its risk factors is an important but neglected public health
challenge in Latin America. We investigated the association
between allergic symptoms and dietary intake in
children from this region.
Methods As part of the International Study of Asthma and
Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) Phase III, questionnaire
collected dietary intake was investigated in relation to risk
of parental/child reported current wheeze (primary outcome)
and rhino-conjunctivitis and eczema. Per-country
adjusted logistic regressions were performed, and combined
effect sizes were calculated with meta-analyses.
Results 143,967 children from 11 countries had complete
data. In children aged 6–7 years, current wheeze was
negatively associated with higher fruit intake (adjusted
odds ratio [aOR] 0.65; 95% CI 0.74, 0.97). Current rhinoconjunctivitis
and eczema were statistically negatively
associated with fruit intake (aOR 0.72; 95% CI 0.64, 0.82;
and OR 0.64, 95% CI 0.56, 0.74, respectively).
Vegetable intake was negatively associated with risk of
symptoms in younger children, but these associations were
attenuated in the 13–14 years old group. Fastfood/burger
intake was positively associated with all three outcomes in
the older children.
Conclusion A higher intake of fruits and vegetables was
associated with a lower prevalence of allergic symptoms in
Latin American children. Conversely, intake of fastfood was positively associated with a higher prevalence of
wheeze in adolescents. Improved dietary habits in children
might help reduce the epidemic of allergic symptoms in
Latin America. Food interventions in asthmatic children
are needed to evaluate the possible public health impact of
a better diet on respiratory health.
Date Issued
2017-08-28
Date Acceptance
2017-08-08
Citation
Lung, 2017, 195 (6), pp.683-692
ISSN
0341-2040
Publisher
Springer Nature
Start Page
683
End Page
692
Journal / Book Title
Lung
Volume
195
Issue
6
Copyright Statement
© The Author(s) 2017. This article is an open access publication
License URL
Subjects
Science & Technology
Life Sciences & Biomedicine
Respiratory System
Diet
ISAAC Phase III
Wheeze
Asthma
Latin America
Children
Fruits
Vegetables
CHILDHOOD ISAAC
ALLERGIC DISEASES
ASTHMA SEVERITY
ECZEMA
RHINOCONJUNCTIVITIS
PREVALENCE
WHEEZE
ADULTS
FRUIT
and the ISAAC Phase III Latin America Group
1102 Cardiovascular Medicine And Haematology
Publication Status
Published
Date Publish Online
2017-08-24