The Association between Leisure-Time Physical Activities and Asthma Symptoms among 10- to 12-Year-Old Children: The Effect of Living Environment in the PANACEA Study

Abstract

The inverse relationship between asthma symptoms and leisure-time physical activity in the rural environment and the lack of an association between asthma symptoms and organized sports-related activities should draw the attention of public healthcare authorities. Their efforts should focus on the planning of a sustainable natural environment, which will promote the physical health of children and reduce the burden of childhood asthma.

Factors Associated with Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet among Adolescents Living in Sicily, Southern Italy

“…Indeed, only 11% of adolescents living in rural areas and 9% of those living in urban, reported to have a good adherence (namely reaching the highest tertile of the index) to the traditional dietary pattern. These rates are even lower than those previously reported for Cypriot, Balearic and Greek adolescents [13,14,34]. It has been showed that adherence was strongly influenced by SES of parents of participants, and similar associations were found also in adult population [17].…”

Asthma is Different in Women

“…The reasons for the gender difference are unknown but have been linked to immunological and hormonal factors, and/or to differences in gender-specific responses to environmental or occupational exposures [11–14]. For example, children living on farms have a lower incidence of asthma [15], which has been related to modulation of the immune system by early life exposures, differences in physical activity levels or eating habits [16, 17]. However gender influences the impact of this exposure, i.e .…”

Physical activity and respiratory symptoms in children: The generation R study

“…There is evidence that regular training could raise the threshold for respiratory symptoms . Recently, Kosti et al showed that leisure time activity was inversely associated with life‐time asthma in 10–12‐year‐old children. A study among Greek schoolchildren aged 10–12 years found an association between decreased physical activity measured by questionnaire and exercise‐induced bronchoconstriction .…”

“…4 Increasing activity levels in children may protect them against asthma. [5][6][7][8][9] But not all literature supports this hypothesis. 10,11 A recent review by Eijkemans et al 12 showed that high physical activity may lower the risk of asthma but results are heterogeneous across different populations (e.g., children vs. adults).…”

“…A recent study showed that regular activity in children is insufficient . Increasing activity levels in children may protect them against asthma . But not all literature supports this hypothesis .…”