Body mass index, allergic rhinitis and asthma in children

Objective To assess the possible relationship of bodyweight

and body mass index (BMI) to childhood

asthma and allergic rhinitis.

Setting Chilaw divisional secretariat area.

Design Prospective observational study.

Method Children aged 13-14 years in 20 out of 22

schools were assessed from April to June 2003 using

the internationally validated ISAAC questionnaire on

asthma and allergies. The children and parents filled

the questionnaire. Height and weight of children were

measured using a standardized procedure. Reference

ranges for the normal BMI data were obtained from

reference growth charts of Ministry of Health. Data

was analysed using Epi info version 6.0.

Results Total number of children recruited was 866.

185 (21%) gave a positive response to ever having

had wheezing. Allergic rhinitis was found in 233

[27%]. Only 97 [11%] had both asthma and allergic

rhinitis. The BMI was <5th centile in 407 (47%), 5th -

85th centile in 418 (48.3%) and >85th centile in 41

(4.7%).

Conclusion No significant association was found

between BMI and asthma/allergic rhinitis in 13-14

year old school children in the Chilaw area.

Sri Lanka Journal of Child Health, 2004; 33: 102-5

(Key words: Body mass index, asthma, allergic rhinitis, children)

doi: 10.4038/sljch.v33i4.619