Obesity and respiratory function impairment in asthmatic and non asthmatic children

Background: Asthma and obesity are common chronic disorders for which the prevalence among children has dramatically increased over the last two decades. Although the presence of lung alterations (restrictive pattern on spirometry) has been demonstrated in the adult obese population, data about respiratory impairment are scant in obese children. Aim: to assess the respiratory function impairment in children with obesity and asthma. Methods: The study included 32 obese subjects (21 with asthma and 11 without asthma), and 10 normal weight and healthy subjects. Subjects were aged 6-16 years. Obesity was defined according to WHO criteria. Respiratory function was assessed by six minute walking test (6MWT) and simple spirometry. Values have been converted to z-scores according to the normality criteria by using the Geiger data for walking distance and the GLI 2012 software for spirometry data. Results: Z-score walking distance values of obese children, with and without asthma, were shorter than controls (p Conclusions: Reduced performance (6MWT) of obese children correlates with BMI excess rather than with functional respiratory abnormalities. Based on Z-scores values of spirometric parameters, more sensitive and appropriate reference values, obese children with and without asthma may have an obstructive pattern on spirometry.