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Thorax. Do fast foods cause asthma, rhinoconjunctivitis and eczema? Global findings from the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) Phase Three
[Source: Thorax, full page: (LINK). Abstract, edited.]
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<CITE><ABBR>Thorax</ABBR> doi:10.1136/thoraxjnl-2012-202285 </CITE>
<CITE></CITE>
<CITE></CITE>Epidemiology / Original article
Do fast foods cause asthma, rhinoconjunctivitis and eczema? Global findings from the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) Phase Three
Philippa Ellwood 1, M Innes Asher 1, Luis Garc?a-Marcos 2, Hywel Williams 3, Ulrich Keil 4, Colin Robertson 5, Gabriele Nagel 6, the ISAAC Phase III Study Group*
Author Affiliations: <SUP>1</SUP>Department of Paediatrics: Child and Youth Health, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand - <SUP>2</SUP>Respiratory Medicine and Allergy Units, ?Virgen de la Arrixaca? University Children's Hospital, University of Murcia, El Palmar, Murcia, Spain - <SUP>3</SUP>Centre for Evidence Based Dermatology, Queen's Medical Centre, University Hospital, Nottingham, UK - <SUP>4</SUP>Institut f?r Epidemiologie und Sozialmedizin, Westf?lische Wilhelms Universit?t, M?nster, Germany - <SUP>5</SUP>Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia - <SUP>6</SUP>Institute of Epidemiology and Medical Biometry, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
Correspondence to Philippa Ellwood, Department of Paediatrics: Child and Youth Health, The University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland Mail Centre, Victoria Street West, Auckland 1142, New Zealand; p.ellwood@auckland.ac.nz
Received 14 June 2012 - Revised 1 November 2012 - Accepted 23 November 2012 - Published Online First 14 January 2013
Abstract
Background
Certain foods may increase or decrease the risk of developing asthma, rhinoconjunctivitis and eczema. We explored the impact of the intake of types of food on these diseases in Phase Three of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood.
Methods
Written questionnaires on the symptom prevalence of asthma, rhinoconjunctivitis and eczema and types and frequency of food intake over the past 12 months were completed by 13?14-year-old adolescents and by the parents/guardians of 6?7-year-old children. Prevalence ORs were estimated using logistic regression, adjusting for confounders, and using a random (mixed) effects model.
Results
For adolescents and children, a potential protective effect on severe asthma was associated with consumption of fruit ≥3 times per week (OR 0.89, 95% CI 0.82 to 0.97; OR 0.86, 95% CI 0.76 to 0.97, respectively). An increased risk of severe asthma in adolescents and children was associated with the consumption of fast food ≥3 times per week (OR 1.39, 95% CI 1.30 to 1.49; OR 1.27, 95% CI 1.13 to 1.42, respectively), as well as an increased risk of severe rhinoconjunctivitis and severe eczema. Similar patterns for both ages were observed for regional analyses, and were consistent with gender and affluence categories and with current symptoms of all three conditions.
Conclusions
If the association between fast foods and the symptom prevalence of asthma, rhinoconjunctivitis and eczema is causal, then the findings have major public health significance owing to the rising consumption of fast foods globally.
-<CITE></CITE>
<CITE></CITE>Epidemiology / Original article
Do fast foods cause asthma, rhinoconjunctivitis and eczema? Global findings from the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) Phase Three
Philippa Ellwood 1, M Innes Asher 1, Luis Garc?a-Marcos 2, Hywel Williams 3, Ulrich Keil 4, Colin Robertson 5, Gabriele Nagel 6, the ISAAC Phase III Study Group*
Author Affiliations: <SUP>1</SUP>Department of Paediatrics: Child and Youth Health, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand - <SUP>2</SUP>Respiratory Medicine and Allergy Units, ?Virgen de la Arrixaca? University Children's Hospital, University of Murcia, El Palmar, Murcia, Spain - <SUP>3</SUP>Centre for Evidence Based Dermatology, Queen's Medical Centre, University Hospital, Nottingham, UK - <SUP>4</SUP>Institut f?r Epidemiologie und Sozialmedizin, Westf?lische Wilhelms Universit?t, M?nster, Germany - <SUP>5</SUP>Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia - <SUP>6</SUP>Institute of Epidemiology and Medical Biometry, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
Correspondence to Philippa Ellwood, Department of Paediatrics: Child and Youth Health, The University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland Mail Centre, Victoria Street West, Auckland 1142, New Zealand; p.ellwood@auckland.ac.nz
Received 14 June 2012 - Revised 1 November 2012 - Accepted 23 November 2012 - Published Online First 14 January 2013
Abstract
Background
Certain foods may increase or decrease the risk of developing asthma, rhinoconjunctivitis and eczema. We explored the impact of the intake of types of food on these diseases in Phase Three of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood.
Methods
Written questionnaires on the symptom prevalence of asthma, rhinoconjunctivitis and eczema and types and frequency of food intake over the past 12 months were completed by 13?14-year-old adolescents and by the parents/guardians of 6?7-year-old children. Prevalence ORs were estimated using logistic regression, adjusting for confounders, and using a random (mixed) effects model.
Results
For adolescents and children, a potential protective effect on severe asthma was associated with consumption of fruit ≥3 times per week (OR 0.89, 95% CI 0.82 to 0.97; OR 0.86, 95% CI 0.76 to 0.97, respectively). An increased risk of severe asthma in adolescents and children was associated with the consumption of fast food ≥3 times per week (OR 1.39, 95% CI 1.30 to 1.49; OR 1.27, 95% CI 1.13 to 1.42, respectively), as well as an increased risk of severe rhinoconjunctivitis and severe eczema. Similar patterns for both ages were observed for regional analyses, and were consistent with gender and affluence categories and with current symptoms of all three conditions.
Conclusions
If the association between fast foods and the symptom prevalence of asthma, rhinoconjunctivitis and eczema is causal, then the findings have major public health significance owing to the rising consumption of fast foods globally.
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