Asthma

Asthma is an illness with periods of good health mixed with periods of wheezing, coughing and shortness of breath typical of an asthma attack. This commonly starts in children, and up to one in four children may be affected, especially those who suffer with eczema or other allergy, as it's origin seems to be associated with allergy. Once established it can be triggered by many things such as cold air, though most children will show positive allergies to such things as pollen in hay fever, or to pets or house dust mites. Many children show fewer symptoms as they grow up, though asthma in adults can also be a problem.

Weight and Asthma. Being overweight gives a 40% greater chance of having asthma, which increases to become twice as likely in obesity and three times more likely in extreme obesity compared to normal weight in adult women. What has also been shown is that women who are normal weight, but have a waist size of over 88cm are at a third higher risk of developing asthma. This shows that the distribution of fat has a significant effect, rather that just the total amount. (Study by Northern California Cancer Centre at Berkeley, published in the journal Thorax analysed data on 88,304 female teachers and school administrators. Aug 2009).