The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #72134

Vinod Mishra, PhD, MPH, Population and Health Studies, East-West Center, 1601 East-West Road, Honolulu, HI 96848, 808-944-7452, mishra@hawaii.edu

Rapidly changing diets and lifestyles are fueling the obesity epidemic worldwide. Even in many developing countries like India, which are typically known for high prevalence of undernutrition, significant proportions of overweight and obese now coexist with the undernourished. Asthma is also a growing problem worldwide. Several studies have associated asthma with obesity in both adults and children, but the evidence is not conclusive. Moreover, the mechanisms by which obesity may cause asthma are not fully understood. Using data from a recent National Family Health Survey in India (conducted in 1998-99), this paper examined the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and reported prevalence of asthma among ever-married women age 15-49. Pregnant women and women with a live birth in the two months preceding the survey were excluded (N=82,323). Effects of overweight (25.0<=BMI<30) and obesity (BMI>=30) on asthma were estimated using logistic regression, after statistically controlling for several potentially confounding factors including age, tobacco smoking (both active and passive), cooking smoke, anemia, food habits, media habits, household crowding, house type, living standard, religion, caste/tribe, urban/rural residence, and geographic region. Results indicate that obese women were significantly more likely to suffer from asthma (OR=1.84; 95%CI: 1.29-2.62) than those with a normal BMI (18.5-25.0). Overweight women also had significantly higher prevalence of asthma than those with a normal BMI (OR=1.32; 95%CI: 1.07-1.63). The results hold for urban and rural women and for younger (age 15-29) and older women (age 30-49) separately. The relationship needs to be further investigated using clinical measures of asthma.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of the session, the participant in this session will be able to:
• recognize that overweight and obesity are growing problems among many developing countries where problems of widespread undernutrition still prevail.
• identify that obesity is a significant risk factor for asthma.

Keywords: Obesity, Asthma

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: East-West Center, Honolulu, HI
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: Employment