Abstract
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
Published on
08 Jul 2009.
Peer Reviewed
