The Association between obesity and Increase severity of asthma in pediatric age group in Maternity and Children Teaching Hospital in Diwaniya City

Abstract

Background: Childhood obesity has become a significant public health concern worldwide, and its impact on respiratory conditions like as thmais of particular interest.

Aim: this research aims to assess whether obesity is associated with increased severity of asthma symptoms inchildren.

Patients and methods: The questionnaire-based study investigates therelationshipbetween obesity andtheseverity ofasthma in pediatric patients at the Maternity and Children Teaching Hospital in Diwaniya City. Datawere collectedfrom patient admitted to the hospital asinpatient and all ofthem diagnosed asa case ofasthma.The questionnaire consists of 10 questions, included age, sex, weight according toage, height according to age, BMI according to age, numbers of attack per week, type of diet, family history of asthma, level of education of the parents, and socioeconomic status. Findings were analyzed to determine any correlation between body mass index (BMI)and asthma severity.

Findings:Showed higher percentage of patients were at 4 to 5 years of age, being 44.26% to the total. Slightly higher percentage of patients were male (32, 52.46%) compared to females (29, 47.54%). Investigating weight according to age showed (18, 29.5%) patients above the 95th percentile. While height according to age presented patients (43, 70.49%) with normal findings. Investigating BMI according to age showed (17, 27.87%) patients as obese. The number of attacks were the highest in those who their attacks lasted for two weeks (18, 29.51%), and (37, 55.74%) patients were on unhealthy type of food. Most of the patients were with family history, being (44, 72%). Level of education and socioeconomic status were also investigated and showed considerable variations among patients.

Conclusion: findings provided valuable insights into pediatric asthma management strategies, highlighting the importanceof addressing obesity as a potential factorinfluencing disease outcomes.