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Chemicals in personal care and household products linked to earlier puberty in girls | USA

House cleaning product on wood table

Chemicals that are widely used in personal care and household products are linked to girls entering puberty at earlier ages, according to findings from a long-running study of mothers and children.

The study in Human Reproduction, one of the world’s leading reproductive medicine journals, found that chemicals such as phthalates, parabens and phenols were all associated with earlier puberty in girls, although there was no similar association observed in boys.

Certain phthalates are used in scented products such as perfumes, deodorants, soaps, shampoo, nail polish and cosmetics; parabens are often used as preservatives in cosmetics and other personal care products; and phenols, which include triclosan and benzophenone-3, are used in soap, toothpaste, lipsticks, hairsprays, shampoos and skin lotion to increase the durability of the products.

Dr Kim Harley, Associate Professor in Public Health at the University of California, Berkeley, USA, who led the study, said: “We found evidence that some chemicals widely used in personal care products are associated with earlier puberty in girls. Specifically, we found that mothers who had higher levels of two chemicals in their bodies during pregnancy – diethyl phthalate, which is used in fragrance, and triclosan, which is an antibacterial agent in certain soaps and toothpaste – had daughters who entered puberty earlier. We also found that girls with higher levels of parabens in their bodies at the age of nine entered puberty earlier.

“This is important because we know that the age at which puberty starts in girls has been getting earlier in the last few decades; one hypothesis is that chemicals in the environment might be playing a role, and our findings support this idea. Earlier puberty in girls increases their risk of mental health problems and risk-taking behaviour as teenagers and increases their risk of breast and ovarian cancer over the long-term, so this is an important issue to address.”

Dr Harley and her colleagues analysed data from pregnant women who enrolled in the Center for the Health Assessment of Mothers and Children of Salinas (CHAMACOS) study between 1999-2000. They followed 338 of their children from birth to adolescence. While the mothers were pregnant they were interviewed at around 14 and 27 weeks’ gestation and urine samples were taken in order to measure concentrations of phthalates, parabens and phenols. After birth, the researchers assessed pubertal development in the 179 girls and 159 boys at the age of nine and collected urine samples. Pubertal development was checked again every nine months between the ages of 9 and 13.

Over 90% of urine samples showed concentrations of all the chemicals tested for, apart from triclosan, which was detected in 73% of samples taken from the pregnant mothers and in 69% of samples taken from the nine-year-old children.

For every doubling in the concentrations of an indicator for phthalates called monoethyl phthalate (MEP) in the mothers’ urine, the development of pubic hair shifted 1.3 months earlier in girls. For every doubling of triclosan in the mothers’ urine, the timing of the girls’ first menstrual period shifted earlier by just under a month.

When the researchers looked at the urine samples taken from the children at the age of nine, they found that for every doubling in the concentrations of parabens, the timings of breast and pubic hair development and first menstrual period all shifted approximately one month earlier.

Dr Harley said: “We already suspect that certain chemicals that are widely used in personal care products – like phthalates, parabens and triclosan – are endocrine disruptors. This means that they mimic, block or otherwise interfere with natural hormones in our bodies, such as oestrogen. In laboratory studies, these chemicals have been shown to cause earlier puberty in rats, but there are very few studies in humans. Additionally, we know that endocrine disrupting effects are particularly important during specific critical windows of development, such as in the womb or during puberty. This study is important because it is one of the first studies to look at human exposure in the womb and because it gives us a chance to examine exposures both in the womb and at puberty.”

She said a possible reason why the same association was not seen in boys was because different hormonal mechanisms are involved boys’ puberty. The effects of the chemicals on oestrogen may be why girls are more affected.

The study was conducted in mainly Latino women, living in farm-working communities in California, USA; most had no high school diploma and lived below the US federal poverty threshold. When the researchers started the study 20 years ago, they were primarily interested in the effects of pesticides, which is why they chose this group of women. “But we always knew we would have the opportunity to examine other chemical exposures,” explained Dr Harley.

One limitation of the study is that girls who start puberty early are more likely to start using personal care products, such as deodorants, which could be why parabens and phthalates showed in their urine. Exposure to other environmental chemicals, such as pesticides encountered during farm working, might also affect the results. A final limitation is that only one or two urine measurements were taken in the mothers and children, and regular measurements might have been better as indicators for phthalates, parabens and phenols only reflect exposure to them in the previous 24-48 hours.

Dr Harley concluded: “This is still an active area of research and more studies are needed. However, we are concerned about evidence that some widely-used chemical in the products that we put on our bodies every day may be having an impact on hormonal and reproductive development.”

Most people are exposed to phthalates, parabens and phenols. A previous study, the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) in the US, found that more than 96% of women taking part had detectable concentrations of these chemicals in their urine.

(Source: European Society of Human Reproduction and EmbryologyHuman Reproduction)

Win 1 of 10 double passes to INSTANT FAMILY

Instant Family movie poster

Sorry, this competition is now closed.

To celebrate the release of INSTANT FAMILY we are giving you the chance to win 10 double passes.

When Pete (Mark Wahlberg) and Ellie (Rose Byrne) decide to start a family, they explore the world of adoption. When they meet a trio of siblings, including a rebellious 15-year-old girl (Isabela Moner), they find themselves unexpectedly speeding from zero to three kids overnight. Now, Pete and Ellie must hilariously try to learn the ropes of instant parenthood in the hopes of becoming a family.
INSTANT FAMILY is inspired by the real events from the life of writer/director Sean Anders and also stars Octavia Spencer, Tig Notaro and Margo Martindale.

Trailer:

In cinemas JANUARY 10.

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©2019 Paramount Pictures. All Rights Reserved.

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Prizes: 10 double passes to INSTANT FAMILY
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How often? Once a day
Promotion starts: 14/12/2018
Promotion ends: 04/01/2019

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Provided you are a Parenthub newsletter subscriber (subscribe here), simply fill in the form below and answer the question.

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Participation in the Parenthub Competition (Competition) indicates your acceptance of the terms and conditions of entry set out below.

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Be sun smart! Wear sunscreen

side view of little girl applying sun cream on back of boy on beach

With summer officially on our doorstep, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) is reminding Australians that sunscreens on the Australian market are safe and effective. Before you head out in the sun this summer, here is a quick summary of how the TGA regulates sunscreens and how you can use sunscreen effectively.

The TGA regulates sunscreens in Australia

The TGA regulates therapeutic goods in Australia. Most sunscreens, as well as some insect repellents and moisturisers, are considered to be therapeutic goods because they are intended to provide a certain level of sun protection.

Before a sunscreen can be legally supplied as a therapeutic good in Australia, it must be listed on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG). You can tell that a sunscreen is listed on the ARTG because it will have an AUST L number on its label. You can also search the ARTG to find out if a particular sunscreen is listed.

Before a company can list a sunscreen on the ARTG and supply it in Australia, they must certify to the TGA that their product:

  • Includes only pre-approved ingredients that the TGA has assessed for safety;
  • Meets the Australian standard for sunscreens;
  • Meets standards for manufacturing quality;
  • Meets testing requirements for sun protection performance;
  • Meets other requirements related to labelling and advertising.

Our reviews find sunscreens to be safe and effective

The TGA conducts targeted and random reviews of sunscreens on the Australian market. The results of our reviews should give Australians confidence in the safety and quality of sunscreens sold in Australia.

We published the results of our latest review on 30 July 2018. This review examined the labels, documentation and evidence associated with 94 sunscreens. There were minor forms of non-compliance in about two-thirds of the sunscreens. For example, some sunscreens did not fully comply with our labelling requirements. However, these forms of non-compliance were unlikely to cause harm to sunscreen users or significantly impact the effectiveness of the sunscreens in everyday use.

In 2017, we conducted laboratory testing of 31 commonly used sunscreens. All of the products tested contained the correct levels of active ingredients as specified on the label.

Nanoparticles in sunscreen do not pose a health threat

Some sunscreens contain nanoparticles to prevent sunscreen forming a visible layer on the skin. A nanoparticle is a tiny particle ranging from 1 to 100 nanometres in size (a nanometre is one billionth of a metre).

The nanoparticles in sunscreens do not pose a threat to your health. In 2017, we published our latest review of the scientific evidence related to titanium oxide and zinc oxide nanoparticles in sunscreens. The evidence suggests that these nanoparticles are highly unlikely to cause harm because they remain on the surface of the skin, which is made-up of dead skin cells.

New research supports the conclusion of our review. In a 2018 study by the University of South Australia, researchers asked five volunteers to apply sunscreen over five consecutive days. The researchers found that nanoparticles remained on the surface of volunteers’ skin and did not cause any damage to their skin cells.

Apply sunscreen liberally

Research shows that sunscreens are effective when applied frequently and liberally. This means at least a teaspoon for each limb, front and back of the body and half a teaspoon for the face, neck and ears every two hours. You should apply one cupped adult hand (30 to 40 ml) of sunscreen for an adult body.

When using an aerosol can, remember that some of the sunscreen may not land on your skin. It is recommended that you use approximately one-third of an aerosol can on an adult body for adequate protection.

Apply sunscreen at least 20 minutes before going out into the sun and reapply your sunscreen more frequently if you have been swimming or sweating.

Be sun smart by using physical barriers as well

It is important to remember that sunscreen should not be your only protection from the sun. Other ways of being sun smart include limiting your exposure to direct sun, seeking out shade, and wearing a hat, sunglasses and appropriate clothing.

The Cancer Council and Australasian College of Dermatologists recommend minimising the use of sunscreen on babies less than 6 months of age (pdf,396kb) by using only on small portions of the body that can’t be covered by clothing and shade. A baby’s skin is sensitive, so spot tests are always recommended to check for any issues, including allergic reactions to ingredients such as fragrances and preservatives.

(Source: Therapeutic Goods Administration)

A Mediterranean diet in pregnancy is associated with lower risk of accelerated growth | Spain

Beautiful pregnant woman preparing meal on kitchen island from fresh ingredients

The Mediterranean diet is characterised by a high content of fruits, vegetables, olive oil, legumes and nuts. This healthy diet pattern has been associated with lower obesity and cardiometabolic risk in adults, but few studies have focused on children.

This study, published in the Journal of Pediatrics, aimed at evaluating the association between adherence to a Mediterranean diet during pregnancy and growth patterns and cardiometabolic risk in early infancy.

The study was performed with data of over 2,700 pregnant women from Asturias, Guipúzcoa, Sabadell and Valencia, who are part of the INMA-Childhood and Environment cohort. The women filled in a questionnaire on dietary intake in the first and third trimester of pregnancy. In addition, the diet, weight and height of their offspring were followed-up from birth to age 4 years. Other tests such as blood analysis and blood pressure were also performed at age 4.

The results show that pregnant women with higher adherence to the Mediterranean diet had a 32% lower risk of having children with an accelerated growth pattern, as compared to offspring of women that did not follow such diet.

Sílvia Fernández, ISGlobal researcher and first author of the study, underlines that “mothers with lower adherence to the Mediterranean diet were younger, consumed more calories, and had higher probability of smoking and a lower education and social level,” as compared to those women who did follow the diet.

“These results support the hypothesis that a healthy diet during pregnancy can have a beneficial effect for child development,” concludes the study coordinator Dora Romaguera, researcher at ISGlobal and CIBEROBN. Regarding the mechanisms that underlie this association, the researcher mentions “possible epigenetic modifications that regulate foetal caridiometabolism, or shared eating patterns between mothers and children, although this deserves further investigation.”

(Source: EurekAlert, Journal of Pediatrics)

School location linked to NAPLAN results – and inequality has increased Australia-wide since NAPLAN began

Group of diversity kid lay down on floor and reading tale book in preschool library,Kindergarten school education concept.

NAPLAN outcomes clearly align to socio-economic advantage of the suburb the school is located in, according to Macquarie University research published in Geographical Research.

The researchers analysed every school’s Grade 5 NAPLAN results from 2008 to 2016, using mapping software. The team found that above average and below average school results are increasingly concentrated in different parts of every city. Further, non-government schools performed better than public schools in disadvantaged areas.

“The results reflect a widening spatial divide within Australia’s cities in terms of socioeconomic characteristics, such as parents’ education levels, incomes, and occupations,” said Professor Nick Parr from Macquarie University’s Department of Management, one of the study’s authors.

“Our findings show the area a school is based in has more bearing on NAPLAN results than whether the school is public or private,” said lead author Crichton Smith, a PhD candidate at Macquarie University’s Faculty of Business and Economics.

“The results are confronting. Virtually no schools in any city’s advantaged suburbs are below the national average, and almost no schools in disadvantaged areas are above average.

“Education quality should not be limited by a school’s location. Unfortunately, the location-based divide has increased since NAPLAN began.

“With 10 years of NAPLAN results now available, it is difficult to see a policy solution to bridge a gap that is so wide, and growing. As it stands, those children whose families lack the means to live in, and more so for those living outside of the cities or send them to schools in advantaged areas; disadvantaged areas are increasingly missing out.”

The study is the world’s first school-level spatial analysis of educational differences across an entire country, and confirms a disadvantage across rural and regional Australia.

“We found significant differences between towns of different sizes. The proportion of both government and non-government schools with below average NAPLAN results increases as schools become more remote from major cities,” said Professor Parr.

“Across remote Australia, just 20 schools had above average NAPLAN results, compared with over 200 schools below average.”

The findings provide evidence of Australia’s spatial educational inequality – and demonstrate that geographical information systems can be used to identify clustering patterns.

“We’ve shown NAPLAN can be used in a positive way by providing evidence of Australia’s increasingly observable spatial educational inequality,” added Smith.

“It doesn’t matter who owns the school, it’s where the school is located that matters.”

(Source: Macquarie University, Geographical Research)

We’ve dropped the ball on physical activity – but not on measuring movement in Aussie kids.

Kids playing with the ball

While the latest Active Healthy Kids Australia statistics show Aussie kids are flatlining in terms of their physical activity participation, researchers from the University of South Australia are ensuring pre-schoolers have the best opportunities to move well, as they deliver new guidelines to better evaluate children’s developing movement skills.

The first of its kind, the research examined the feasibility of Fundamental Movement Skill (FMS) assessments used to check pre-school aged children’s physical competence, finding that the most popular assessments performed poorly when compared to the less-frequently used counterparts.

Lead researcher, UniSA’s Brooke Klingberg says the research highlights a gap in the early childhood sector.

“Early childhood is a critical time for children to develop FMS – running, hopping, jumping, throwing, catching, kicking and balancing – all the foundation skills children need for healthy physical development,” Klingberg says.

“Competence in these skills means children are more likely to participate in physical activity and sport as they age, as well as have better levels of fitness and overall better health outcomes.

“But when testing for children’s FMS, pre-schools need to consider a whole range of factors – how much time is allocated for each child, the skills and training of the assessor, the type of equipment used and even the physical space available – and all of these elements can impact the ability of pre-schools to effectively use the assessments.

“Our new guidelines will let pre-school teachers, clinicians and researchers choose the FMS tool most suited for their circumstances, thereby reducing the chance that a child needing early intervention services will be overlooked.”

The research examined 65 studies, ranking each of the 13 unique FMS assessments against feasibility parameters. The highest scoring assessments were two newly developed tools, the Athletics Skills Track (AST) and the Democritos Movement Screening Tool for Preschool Children (DEMOST-PRE), while the most commonly used assessments, the Test of Gross Motor Development (TGMD-2) and the Movement Assessment Battery for Children (MABC), both scored poorly.

Klingberg says the results deliver important insights for early-childhood educators and clinicians.

“There are lots of FMS assessments currently available for use, but many are only used in a research and clinical setting,” Klingberg says.

“By comparing the range of FMS assessments, we’re able to show educators that other, more effective screening tools are available and those that are most commonly used tests, or those that they’re defaulted to, are not always the best.

“With growing demand for educators to administer FMS assessments within pre-schools, it makes sense that they have all the information to make an informed decision about the test that best suits their environment.

“This research ensures teachers are empowered so they can continue to support the children that they care for in the best practicable manner.”

(Source: University of South Australia)

Boys with social difficulties most susceptible to early substance use | USA

Upset problem child sitting on play park playground bench concept for bullying, depression, child protection or loneliness

Boys who enter sixth-grade with co-occurring social skills, anxiety, learning and conduct problems are at the greatest risk of developing aggressive behaviour and using tobacco, alcohol and marijuana by the end of eighth grade, a new study found.

“While substance use among all boys in the study population increased over time, it increased the fastest among boys who had the greatest social skills needs,” said University of Illinois social work professor Kevin Tan, the principal investigator of the study.

Rather than any single factor, a combination of characteristics may predict youths’ risk of succumbing to or avoiding problem behaviours, Tan said.

Tan and his co-authors found four distinct patterns of co-occurring social-emotional learning and behavioural problems among the more than 2,600 middle-school boys in their study. The boys were students at 37 schools located in Chicago; Durham, North Carolina; Athens, Georgia; and Richmond, Virginia.

At four time points, beginning in the fall term of sixth grade and ending in the spring term of eighth grade, the students were surveyed on their verbal, relational and physical aggression and their use of cigarettes, alcohol and marijuana during the prior 30 days.

At each time point, a teacher also assessed each boy’s social skills development, symptoms of anxiety and learning problems. Teachers also reported on their students’ conduct, such as how frequently they skipped classes and stole from other students.

Boys who had significant problems in all four domains – social skills, anxiety, learning and conduct – were the most susceptible to engaging in aggression and substance use, the researchers found.

Although this group composed only 6.3 per cent of the study population, prior research has shown that youths with these characteristics are at the greatest risk of the poorest outcomes across their lifespans, according to Tan and his co-authors.

Conversely, the researchers found that boys who scored well on social, emotional, learning and conduct – a group that composed more than 61 per cent of the sample – showed only small increases in physical aggression and substance use.

The third risk pattern involved boys who had poor social skills in addition to learning and conduct problems. While these boys entered sixth grade exhibiting the most behavioural problems, their physical and relational aggression and cigarette smoking declined over time and their alcohol and marijuana use didn’t vary.

The researchers also identified a fourth distinct risk pattern previously unexamined in research pertaining to a group of boys who may be underserved by practitioners. Boys in this group, which composed about 15 per cent of the sample population, had positive social skills but moderate problems with learning, anxiety and conduct.

“Although these boys may be socially skilled, their other problems can lead to increased aggression and substance use as they progress through middle school,” Tan said.

These youths’ social skills may account for their heightened verbal aggression, the researchers hypothesized, because “these boys are more attuned to how to utilize indirect forms of aggression as a means of harming others and, over time, become more accustomed to dealing with interpersonal matters through non-physical means.”

Alcohol and marijuana use increased among boys in this group, but at lower rates than their peers in the high-risk group. Tan and his co-authors suggested that these social boys may be more susceptible to negative peer influences that lead to experimentation with alcohol and drugs.

“Understanding these configurations of social-emotional, learning and conduct problems can help us understand how they elevate or decrease students’ risks for different outcomes,” Tan said. “There are opportunities here for schools to provide early prevention and interventions to address any problems before they become severe.”

(Source: Illinois News Bureau)

Companion robot trialled in classrooms

Robot teacher explains modern theory. Classroom interior with empty black chalkboard. Pink blue colorful background.

La Trobe University researchers are bringing education into the digital age with the introduction of social robots into special needs schools.

In a first for Victoria, the University has teamed up with Waratah Special Developmental School to trial a robot called Matilda as a classroom companion.

Matilda has been working across four classrooms to assist teachers in creating positive social engagement and entertaining learning activities for students.

Research Project Manager Seyed Mohammed Sadegh Khaksar, from the La Trobe Research Centre for Computers, Communication and Social Innovation (RECCSI), said the robot is being personalised to empower teachers and enhance their work.

“Matilda can recognise human voices and faces, detect emotions, read and recite text, dance and play music,” Dr Khaksar said.

“Our aim is to adapt these features in a way that will complement a teaching environment and provide tailored support to teachers and students.

“This study is about assisting both teachers and students, especially those in special needs education, who can face particular challenges in their learning environments. It will measure how social robots can motivate children with special needs to better learn and engage in the classroom.”

Dr Khaksar said feedback from teachers – taken before, during and after classes – has been crucial in helping shape and develop a more effective companion robot.

“The teachers taking part in this trial are able to tell us what it is they need from Matilda and which of the existing services need to be adapted or changed to better suit their needs,” Mr Khaksar said.

“For example, one of the services we are co-developing with Waratah Special Developmental School is a bullying support service to be programmed into Matilda.”

In addition to teacher feedback, student interaction has proved overwhelmingly positive. “The results are immediate. As soon as the kids see Matilda in the classroom, their faces light up and they become more interested and engaged,” Dr Khaksar said.

“Because the robot is patient and non-judgemental – as well as being interactive – the students have been able to form a type of bond with it.

“The robot can speak to students, read and act out characters in books, as well as set tasks. But it can also repeat things hundreds of times if necessary and not tire of it.”

Waratah Special Developmental School Principal, Jennifer Wallace, said school staff have found the ability to work collaboratively with La Trobe researchers beneficial.

“It’s been a fantastic experience to help develop specific activities and adjustments for the robot, to address the individual needs of our students and monitor their progress,” Principal Wallace said.

“We’ve seen an increase in students’ willingness to engage with the robot and an improvement in communication and social skills. Our students are listening and attending to the robot, responding when their name is called and following the robot’s instructions.

“We’ve found our students are highly motivated to participate in activities facilitated through the robot and they are demonstrating an increased ability to wait and take turns after spending time with the robot.”

RECCSI Research Manager and Associate Professor (Debbie) Mei-Tai Chu said this type of technology is in high demand.

“La Trobe is at the forefront in creating solutions for social innovation. Our hope is that La Trobe’s robotic technology, which delivers emotional assistance and companionship over physical services, will be employed widely across Australia,” Dr Chu said.

“Using this personalised approach over a one-size-fits-all model is vital, as it allows users in various contexts to independently develop unique services tailored to their specific needs.

“Matilda is not only enabling the kids from Waratah Special Developmental School to develop better communication, but also social and cognitive skills.”

The study into social robots for special needs classes is set for completion in late 2018.

Matilda was originally co-created in partnership with NEC Corporation.

(Source: La Trobe University)

Pelvic floor study puts weight on resistance training

Beautiful pregnant woman workout. Doing yoga with fitball.

Resistance training improves pelvic floor strength and, contrary to popular belief, may not cause incontinence in women, a ground-breaking study by Charles Darwin University researchers has revealed.

A team of health professionals assessed the pelvic floor strength of 15 women, including 12 participants with varying levels of urinary incontinence, during a 12-week resistance training program supervised by a qualified trainer.

Lead investigators Dr Daniel Gahreman and Professor Marilynne Kirshbaum said the women who suffered incontinence each reported less frequent incidents by the end of the training program, while the other three women reported no adverse change.

“Our findings contradict advice from the Continence Foundation of Australia, which says people with poor pelvic floor strength should avoid resistance-based exercise,” Dr Gahreman said.

“While the severity of the women’s incontinence did not change when they did experience it, the frequency was significantly less by the end of the study; we will need to conduct more research to find out why.”

Dr Gahreman said the study showed that resistance training, including squats, deadlifts, push-ups and bench press, was as effective as isolated pelvic floor exercises when women were coached to engage the correct muscles.

“The added benefit of weights training is that your entire body becomes stronger, which benefits women in general, and specifically through pregnancy, birth, post-natal recovery and when they are lifting small children,” he said.

Dr Gahreman said he hoped the combined research would help inform pelvic floor strength guidelines.

(Source: Charles Darwin University Australia)

Weight likely cause for one-fourth of asthma cases in kids with obesity | USA

Sick obese boy is coughing and throat infection on bed, health care concept

A study including health data for more than 500,000 children in the U.S. suggests obesity might be to blame for about a quarter (23 to 27 per cent) of asthma in children who are obese.

This could mean about 10 per cent of all kids ages 2 to 17 with asthma — almost 1 million children in the U.S. – might have avoided the illness by maintaining a healthy weight, according to researchers at Duke University and collaborators with the National Pediatric Learning Health System (PEDSnet). The findings were in the journal Pediatrics.

“Asthma is the No. 1 chronic disease in children and some of the causes such as genetics and viral infections during childhood are things we can’t prevent,” said Jason E. Lang, M.D., associate professor of paediatrics at Duke and the study’s lead author. “Obesity may be the only risk factor for childhood asthma that could be preventable. This is another piece of evidence that keeping kids active and at a healthy weight is important.”

For the retrospective study, researchers analysed data for 507,496 children from more than 19 million doctor’s visits at six major children’s health centres.

The data were entered into a clinical research data network called PEDSnet between 2009 and 2015.

Those classified as having asthma had been diagnosed at two or more doctor’s appointments and had also received a prescription, such as an inhaler. Tests of their lung function also confirmed they had the disease.

Children classified as obese — those with a body-mass index (BMI) in the 95th percentile or above for their age and sex — had a 30-per cent increased risk of developing asthma than peers of a healthy weight. Asthma did not affect just those with obesity.

Children who were overweight but not obese (BMI in the 85-94th percentile) also had a 17-per cent increased asthma risk compared to healthy-weight peers.

The researchers calculated asthma risk using several models and adjusted for risk factors such as sex, age, socioeconomic status and allergies. The results remained similar.

The study has several limitations, Lang said, including that the data were collected during doctor’s visits and not in a controlled clinical research setting. Lang said more experiments are needed to prove overweight and obesity directly cause changes that lead to asthma because scientists don’t completely understand how or why this would occur.

Scientists have explored hypotheses including potential differences in how children’s lungs and airways develop when they are overweight, and inflammatory changes in the body due to obesity, Lang said.

Still, these findings and others, such as how asthma often improves with weight loss, suggests obesity plays a key role or is directly to blame, Lang said.

“I think it’s reasonable to be concerned that it’s a causal relationship,” Lang said. “It appears becoming overweight or obese as a child significantly increases your risk of developing asthma, and it’s a significant increase, directing attention again to the importance of preventing obesity at an early age.”

(Source: DukeHealth, Pediatrics)

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