Obesity and Higher Asthma Risk

Newswise — Asthma is reaching epidemic levels in the U.S., with 8 percent of the total population and 10 percent of the African-American population suffering from this disease. Obesity rates are also increasing, now affecting 34 percent of the population. A new study presented at the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology annual meeting in Phoenix, Nov. 11-16, found that obese and super obese adults were significantly more likely to have asthma than normal weight or overweight (but not obese) adults. “An aggressive intervention for weight loss is an important adjunctive strategy for the treatment of patients with asthma,” study authors say.

By the numbers:
Asthma increases the odds of healthcare use in obese people by 33 percent. Asthma prevalence is 20 percent higher in African Americans than in Caucasians. Consumers can take a simple online test to gauge their asthma symptoms and obtain a personalized plan on how to get relief at www.AllergyAndAsthmaRelief.org.