Do fast foods cause asthma, rhinoconjunctivitis and eczema? Global findings from the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) Phase Three

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-yearold 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.

Association between dietary habits and asthma severity in children

“…Fast food consumption ≥3 times per week was a risk factor for severe asthma in two populations, with OR (95% CI) of 1.39 (1.30-1.49) and 1.27 (1.13-1.42), respectively. However, some inconsistent findings were observed between two populations, and there was also heterogeneity of findings across different study centers and countries [13]. In the present study, fruit consumption ≥3 times a week appeared to be a protective factor against persistent asthma, with an OR of 0.85 (95% CI 0.48-1.50), although the result was not statistically significant.…”

“…Recently, Ellwood, et al [4,13] reported the global results of the ISAAC study (Phase III) on the association between food consumption in the last 12 months and atopic diseases such as asthma, rhinoconjuctivitis and eczema. Fruit intake ≥3 times per week was found to be a protective factor against severe asthma in both adolescents and children, with OR (95% CI) of 0.89 (0.82-0.97 and 0.86 (0.76-0.97), respectively.…”

“…These studies have identified the intake of fruits, vegetables and fish as protective factors against childhood asthma while fast food consumption as a risk factor for the disease [6][7][8][9][10][11]. Studies on dietary habits and severity of asthma are few and show reconsistent results [11][12][13]. The present study aimed to investigate the association between dietary habits and the severity of childhood asthma.…”

“…Dietary habits were determined based on the consumption of specific foods or food groups in the past 12 months. The frequency of food intake was classified into two categories adapted from criteria used in the literature: frequent when intake was three or more times per week, and infrequent when never consumed or intake twice per week or less [12,13]. Specific food or food groups included: milk or yoghurt, meats (bovine, pork, and poultry), vegetables (leafy and non-leafy), fish, eggs, fruit, legumes (beans, peas, lentils, and chick peas), roots and tubers (potato, sweet potato, manioc), grains (rice, pasta, bread), butter, soft drinks and processed foods including fast food.…”

Asthma control in pregnancy is associated with pre-conception dietary patterns

“…Women with uncontrolled asthma had higher intakes of SFA, MUFA, total carbohydrate, sugar and fibre, such that for each additional 40 g of carbohydrate intake, equivalent to 2·5 slices of white bread per day, the odds of uncontrolled asthma increased by 40 %, while for each additional 10 g increase in sugar intake, equivalent to two teaspoons of added sugar per day, the odds of uncontrolled asthma increased by 10 %. Our findings are important as human epidemiological studies have shown in asthmatic adults that higher fat and lower fibre intakes were associated with worse airway inflammation and lung function (9) and fast-food consumption ≥3 times per week was associated with increased risk of severe asthma in children and adolescents (24) . Most recently, in a meta-analysis of observational studies, total intake of fruit and vegetables was inversely associated with risk of asthma in adults (six studies: RR = 0·64; 95 % CI 0·41, 1·01) and children (two studies: RR = 0·57; 95 % CI 0·42, 0·77), but higher consumption of fruit and vegetables during pregnancy was not associated with risk of asthma in offspring (25) .…”