TY - JOUR
T1 - Sex difference in the association between obesity and asthma in U.S. adults
T2 - Findings from a national study
AU - Wang, Liang
AU - Wang, Kesheng
AU - Gao, Xiang
AU - Paul, Timir K.
AU - Cai, Jianwen
AU - Wang, Youfa
N1 - Funding Information:
We thank the support of the 2012 National Health Interview Survey, College of Public Health and Quillen College of Medicine of East Tennessee State University, Harvard School of Public Health, Department of Nutritional Science of the Pennsylvania State University, Department of Biostatistics of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill , and School of Public Health and Health Professions of University at Buffalo, State University of New York . Part of Dr. Youfa Wang's related effort was supported by research grants from the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH, R01HD064685-01A1 , R01DK81335-01A1 ). We also thank Drs. Claudia A. Kozinetz and Frank B. Hu for their comments on this manuscript.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
PY - 2015/8/1
Y1 - 2015/8/1
N2 - Background Obesity and asthma are both prevalent in the U.S. The a few studies that have examined the differences in association between obesity and asthma by sex provided mixed results. Reason for the sex differences is not well understood. Objective Using U.S. nationally representative data we aimed to examine the association between obesity and asthma and potential sex differences. Methods Data were obtained from the 2012 National Health Interview Survey (n = 33,153 adults, 4197 had asthma). Asthma was determined by a positive response to the question "Has a doctor or health care professional ever told you had asthma?" Obesity was determined as a Body Mass Index (BMI) ≥ 30. Obese status was categorized as BMI = 30-34.9 (Class I obesity), BMI = 35-39.9 (Class II obesity), and BMI ≥ 40 (Class III obesity). Results The prevalence of asthma was 12.6% (11.0% in men, 14.2% in women), and was higher in the obese than non-obese individuals (16.6% vs. 11.1%, p < 0.0001). After controlling for potential confounders, Class I obesity (OR = 1.27, 95% CI = 1.11-1.44), Class II obesity (OR = 1.55, 95% CI = 1.31-1.84), Class III obesity (OR = 1.85, 95% CI = 1.54-2.21) were positively associated with asthma. The association between Class III obesity and asthma was stronger in women than men (2.11 (1.70-2.63) vs. 1.40 (1.01-1.96), p < 0.05), although the sex difference in the association between BMI and asthma was not significant. Positive associations between class II and class III obesity and asthma were observed among young and middle-aged women compared to young and middle-aged men. Stratified by allergic status, obesity remained being positively associated with asthma. Conclusion The prevalence of asthma was higher in women than men. Obesity (and BMI) was positively associated with asthma, overall or stratified by allergic status. The association between Class III obesity and asthma was stronger in women. Obesity and sex may be taken into consideration for the management of asthmatic patients.
AB - Background Obesity and asthma are both prevalent in the U.S. The a few studies that have examined the differences in association between obesity and asthma by sex provided mixed results. Reason for the sex differences is not well understood. Objective Using U.S. nationally representative data we aimed to examine the association between obesity and asthma and potential sex differences. Methods Data were obtained from the 2012 National Health Interview Survey (n = 33,153 adults, 4197 had asthma). Asthma was determined by a positive response to the question "Has a doctor or health care professional ever told you had asthma?" Obesity was determined as a Body Mass Index (BMI) ≥ 30. Obese status was categorized as BMI = 30-34.9 (Class I obesity), BMI = 35-39.9 (Class II obesity), and BMI ≥ 40 (Class III obesity). Results The prevalence of asthma was 12.6% (11.0% in men, 14.2% in women), and was higher in the obese than non-obese individuals (16.6% vs. 11.1%, p < 0.0001). After controlling for potential confounders, Class I obesity (OR = 1.27, 95% CI = 1.11-1.44), Class II obesity (OR = 1.55, 95% CI = 1.31-1.84), Class III obesity (OR = 1.85, 95% CI = 1.54-2.21) were positively associated with asthma. The association between Class III obesity and asthma was stronger in women than men (2.11 (1.70-2.63) vs. 1.40 (1.01-1.96), p < 0.05), although the sex difference in the association between BMI and asthma was not significant. Positive associations between class II and class III obesity and asthma were observed among young and middle-aged women compared to young and middle-aged men. Stratified by allergic status, obesity remained being positively associated with asthma. Conclusion The prevalence of asthma was higher in women than men. Obesity (and BMI) was positively associated with asthma, overall or stratified by allergic status. The association between Class III obesity and asthma was stronger in women. Obesity and sex may be taken into consideration for the management of asthmatic patients.
KW - Asthma
KW - Epidemiology
KW - Obesity
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U2 - 10.1016/j.rmed.2015.06.001
DO - 10.1016/j.rmed.2015.06.001
M3 - Article
C2 - 26118569
AN - SCOPUS:84938415906
SN - 0954-6111
VL - 109
SP - 955
EP - 962
JO - Respiratory Medicine
JF - Respiratory Medicine
IS - 8
ER -