BELLY FAT, ALCOHOL ASSOCIATED WITH INCREASED ASTHMA RISK

DRINKING alcohol in moderate quantities can
reduce the risk of asthma, while belly fat,
known clinically as central obesity, has been
linked to the development of asthma,
according to new studies by Danish
researchers.
The studies, presented recently at the
European Respiratory Society’s Annual
Congress in Amsterdam, found that drinking
one to six units of alcohol a week could
reduce the risk of developing the condition
and central obesity as a risk factor for the
disease.
The research examined 19,349 twins
between the ages of 12 and 41 years of
age. All participants completed a
questionnaire at the start and end of the
study to compare alcohol intake with the
risk of developing asthma over eight years.
The results showed that the lowest risk of
asthma was seen in the group which had a
moderate intake of alcohol, as less than four
per cent of those who drank one to six
units per week developed asthma.
The highest risk of asthma was observed in
people who drank rarely or never, as they
were 1.4-times more likely to develop the
condition. Heavy drinkers also had an
increased risk of asthma development and
were 1.2-times more likely to develop
asthma.
The results also suggested that a preference
for beer drinking was associated with an
increased risk of asthma when compared
with no preference.
Previous studies have found a link between
excessive intake of alcohol and asthma
attacks; however, this is the first study of
its kind to show a link between alcohol
intake and the onset of asthma for adults
over a long period of time.
Sofie Lieberoth, from the Bispebjerg
Hospital in Denmark, said: “Whilst excessive
alcohol intake can cause health problems,
the findings of our study suggest that a
moderate intake of one to six units can
reduce the risk of developing asthma. By
examining all the factors linked with the
development of asthma, we can understand
more about what causes the condition and
how to prevent it.”
Meanwhile, excess abdominal fat has been
linked with a number of health effects, such
as diabetes and heart disease, but there has
been little focus on its link with lung
disease.
Previous studies have found a link between
asthma and body mass index (BMI), which
is a marker for overall obesity. This new
study looked at waist circumference, which
is a marker for central obesity, to see
whether this form of obesity could also
contribute to asthma risk. The research is
one of the first prospective studies to
investigate the individual and combined
effect of central and overall obesity on
incident asthma in adults.