|
|
Obesity: a risk factor for Asthma
Obesity has been
rapidly increasing in prevalence over the past two decades—in children as well
as in adults. Although obesity is a recognized risk factor for type 2
diabetes
mellitus,
hypertension, atherosclerosis, and some forms of
cancer, evidence
suggests that obesity may also contribute to or even cause asthma. For one,
asthma prevalence is increased in obese persons. Furthermore, obese patients
with severe asthma account for 75% of emergency department visits for asthma. On
the other hand, when morbidly obese asthma patients
lose weight, there is a
decrease in asthma
symptoms and severity.
Obese adults with asthma are more likely than their leaner counterparts to
have severe, persistent disease, according to a new large study.
Obesity appears to play a role in airway
hyper-responsiveness and asthma severity.
|
How does obesity affect Asthma?
 Obesity affects the anatomy of both the lungs and airways. In children, for
instance, the mechanical load of obesity can affect lung growth, resulting in
smaller lungs and reduced pulmonary function. While weight loss improves lung
function, it does not affect airway responsiveness.
Although the reason why obesity increases asthma severity is not entirely
clear, evidence suggests that the hormone leptin, which is produced by fat cells
and plays a role in weight regulation and asthma-related airway inflammation,
may be involved. In contrast, plasma adiponectin levels are decreased in obese
individuals but increase with weight loss. Adiponectin, while mainly having an
effect on metabolism, has anti-inflammatory properties as well.
Obesity also may be a risk factor for airway hyper-responsiveness. Increased
abdominal and chest wall mass in obese people causes lower functional residual
capacity. And since lung volume is a major determinant of airway diameter, it is
possible that these changes in residual capacity allow smooth airway muscles to
shorten excessively when activated.
Another possibility is that obese persons breathe at higher frequencies—but
substantially smaller tidal volumes—compared with non-obese individuals. As a
result, the bronchodilatory effect of tidal strains is compromised and the obese
person is predisposed toward increased airway responsiveness.
Chronic low-level systemic inflammation is present in obese persons—even in
the absence of an inflammatory trigger. This inflammation is characterized by
the presence of circulating leukocytes, cytokines, cytokine receptors, and
chemokines. The inflammation appears to originate within the adipose tissue, and
diseases common to obesity (eg, atherosclerosis and type 2 diabetes mellitus)
also correlate with systemic inflammation.
Exercise Tips to fight Obesity:
Tip: High
intensity workouts are no-no (as they put pressure on the knees.)
 Exercise Tips to fight Asthma
Related Links
|
|
|
|
|
