Childhood obesity is a nationwide problem in this country, and it can cause a myriad of health problems, including asthma.
Studies have shown that overweight and obese children are more likely to develop asthma, and to have more frequent and severe asthma attacks.
Why does this happen? Science points to a few possible reasons:
- Inflammation caused by body fat in overweight or obese children increases the risk factor of asthma, an inflammatory condition.
- The additional weight from excess body fat may place more pressure on the chest, as well as the lungs.
As parents, what can you do? If your child is overweight but doesn’t presently have asthma – watch them carefully for signs of asthma, and encourage them to be active and healthy.
If your children has already developed asthma, monitor their exposure to their triggers carefully, watch for symptoms of an attack and always have an updated asthma action plan in place. Exercise will also be beneficial for your asthmatic child. If they are between the ages of 8-13, consider Camp Huff-n-Puff, a four-day overnight camp designed to help children learn to manage their asthma while having fun!