Asthma and Wheezing Linked with Fat in Foods

In a study reported in the medical journal Thorax, researchers wondered if the increasing numbers of people with asthma and allergy might be related to diet, especially in Western countries.

They found that children may be more at risk for asthma and wheezing if they eat three or more hamburgers a week. However, they say, eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and fish could cut respiratory risks.

"Our results support previous reports that the adherence to a Mediterranean diet, which is characterized by a high intake of fruit, vegetables, and fish and a low intake of meat, burger, and fizzy drinks, may provide partial protection against asthma in childhood," says lead researcher Dr. Gabriele Nagel, at Ulm University in Germany.

Nearly 7 million children have been diagnosed with asthma according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Asthma is one of the most common, serious, chronic diseases among children, accounting for 13 million absences from school each year.

Asthma is the third-ranking cause of childhood hospitalizations under the age of 15. Asthma is one of the most common chronic illnesses in children.

Fruits and Veggies Loaded with Vitamins

For the study, Dr. Nagel's team collected data on about 50,000 children from 20 rich and poor countries. Parents were asked about their children's typical diet and whether they had asthma or not. In addition, almost 30,000 of the children were tested for allergies.

While diet did not appear to influence allergies, it was associated with the risk of asthma and wheeze, the researchers found. Children in both rich and poorer countries who ate a lot of fruit had lower rates of wheeze.

Eating a lot of fish appears to protect children in rich countries, and a diet high in cooked green vegetables may protect children in less developed countries from wheeze, Dr. Nagel's team found.

Authors of the research say fruits and vegetables are rich in antioxidant vitamins and biologically active agents, and the omega 3 fatty acids prevalent in fish have anti-inflammatory properties, which might explain these findings.

For example, say the researchers, foods rich in vitamin C have been linked to better lung function and fewer asthma symptoms, and carotenoids and vitamins C and E positively influence pulmonary function.

But the burger finding could be a marker for other lifestyle factors that could boost a child's risk for asthma, the researchers note. Meat in general was not seen to increase the risk of wheeze, the study found.

High-Fat Reduces Lung Function

Pulmonologist Dr. Michael Light, at the University of Miami, agreed that diet can influence asthma.

"The data is fairly consistent that antioxidants and unsaturated fatty acids play a role in the big picture," says Dr. Light said. "This doesn't mean if you change your diet today you are going to cure your asthma. All the study is saying is that one of the explanations for asthma is probably related to diet.”

Echoing these findings, results of a study presented at the American Thoracic Society International Conference showed that fatty meals were linked to impaired lung function.

In that study, Australian researchers tested people with asthma before and after a high-fat meal or after a low-fat meal. They found that the high-fat meal increased inflammation and reduced lung function.

Always consult your child's physician for more information.