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A recent study published in BMC Public Health has revealed a significant association between waist circumference and the likelihood of asthma attacks in adults. Led by Dr. Xiang Liu of Qingdao Municipal Hospital, China, the research sheds light on the importance of abdominal obesity as a potential risk factor for asthma exacerbations.
Previous studies have established a correlation between body mass index (BMI) and asthma, but the impact of abdominal obesity on asthma attacks has not been extensively studied. To address this gap, researchers analyzed data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, focusing on 5,530 adults diagnosed with asthma in the United States.
The study, conducted by Dr. Liu and his team, found that individuals who experienced asthma attacks exhibited significantly higher waist circumferences compared to those without such attacks. Specifically, the median waist circumference was 102.6 cm for patients reporting asthma attacks, whereas it was 97.3 cm for those without attacks.
The association between waist circumference and the likelihood of asthma attacks remained consistent across various models, even after adjusting for BMI-defined obesity, age, gender, race/ethnicity, education, income, smoking status, and metabolic syndrome. Notably, for every 5-cm increase in waist circumference, the likelihood of an asthma attack was 1.06 times higher after full adjustment.
Furthermore, subgroup analyses based on gender, age, and smoking status reaffirmed the relationship between increased waist circumference and elevated odds of asthma attacks.
Commenting on the findings, the researchers emphasized the importance of incorporating waist circumference measurements into routine health assessments for individuals with asthma. They underscored the significance of this metric in comprehensive health evaluations, advocating for its inclusion as a vital aspect of clinical practice.
Despite the compelling results, the study had certain limitations. The reliance on existing database questions to evaluate asthma attacks, lack of data on specific triggers of exacerbations, and inability to differentiate the severity of attacks were among the factors constraining the findings.
The study received no external funding, and the researchers declared no financial conflicts of interest.
As the global prevalence of asthma continues to rise, this research underscores the urgency of addressing modifiable risk factors such as obesity, particularly abdominal obesity, in asthma management and prevention strategies.
For further details, the study titled “Association of Waist Circumference with Asthma Attacks in Adults: a Cross-sectional Study Using Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey” can be accessed online in BMC Public Health.
