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Asthma symptoms in rural living Tanzanian children; prevalence and the relation to aerobic fitness and body fat
Author(s) -
Berntsen S.,
Lødrup Carlsen K. C.,
Hageberg R.,
Aandstad A.,
Mowinckel P.,
Anderssen S. A.,
Carlsen K.H.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
allergy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.363
H-Index - 173
eISSN - 1398-9995
pISSN - 0105-4538
DOI - 10.1111/j.1398-9995.2009.01979.x
Subject(s) - medicine , asthma , underweight , aerobic exercise , physical therapy , pediatrics , pulmonary function testing , physical fitness , allergy , overweight , odds ratio , obesity , immunology
Objective: To determine the prevalence of asthma symptoms in children from a rural district in North‐Tanzania, and their relationship to aerobic fitness and body fat. Methods: In Manyara region in Tanzania, children (aged 9–10 years) were randomly selected to participate in the present cross‐sectional study. Hundred and seventy two participants completed a video questionnaire showing the symptoms and signs of asthma. Lung function was measured by maximum forced expiratory flow‐volume curves. Aerobic fitness was estimated from a standardized indirect maximal cycle ergometer test and sum of three skinfolds reflected body fat. Results: Twenty four per cent reported asthma symptoms last year. Severe wheezing attacks last year were reported in 5% of the participants. Thirty seven per cent of the participants were underweight. Underweight children had significantly lower ( P < 0.02) lung function (per cent of predicted). Lower body fat was associated with higher occurrence of asthma symptoms (odds ratio and 95% CI; 0.45 (0.22–0.95; P = 0.04). Aerobic fitness was not associated with asthma symptoms. Conclusions: More than every fifth 9–10 year old child from a rural district in North‐Tanzania reported asthma symptoms. Lower body fat was associated with higher occurrence of asthma symptoms, but aerobic fitness was not associated with asthma symptoms.