Obese children who are exposed to air pollution are more likely to develop asthma.
According to new research from the Columbia University Medical Center (CUMC) in New York, children who are obese and exposed to high levels of air pollution are three times as likely to develop asthma than children who are not obese and are not subjected to pollution. Rates of both asthma and childhood obesity have increased dramatically over the last three decades. The percentage of American kids who are obese rose from seven percent in 1980 to 20 percent in 2008. Asthma grew from four percent to 10 percent in the same time period. These diseases are much more prevalent in urban minority populations, where there is more pollution.
While the direct association between obesity and asthma is still unknown, the researchers have a few theories as to why they might be connected. One of the central ideas is that obese children live a more sedentary lifestyle, so the more time they spend indoors is more time being exposed to air pollutants such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), which are different kinds of toxic elements. Another leading theory is the more rapid breathing in those who are obese.
The study followed 311 children in predominantly Dominican or African American neighborhoods in New York City. Researchers monitored the air quality of each home twice a week to measure the amount of exposure the family has to various kinds of common air pollutants. They found that high exposure to PAH was associated with asthma only among obese children, and resulted in a two to three fold increase in asthma risk.
Even if nobody in your family is obese or suffers from asthma, it is important to keep the air clean. US Air Purifiers has a wide variety of affordable air purifiers for you to choose from.