Obesity Effects Allergies in Children

Obese children and teens are at increased risk for allergies, say U.S. researchers. A recent study analyzed data from 4,111 participants (aged 2 to 19) in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The results found that obese children were 26 percent more likely to have general allergies and 59 percent more likely to have a food-specific allergy, than children who were not obese.

"We found a positive association between obesity and allergies," said senior author Dr. Darryl Zeldin, acting clinical director at the U.S. National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. He went to say, "While the results from this study are interesting, they do not prove that obesity causes allergies. More research is needed to further investigate this potential link."

The study is in the May issue of The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.

"Given that the prevalence of both obesity and allergic disease has increased among children over the last several decades, it is important to understand and, if possible, prevent these epidemics," said lead author Cynthia M. Visness, a scientist at Rho Federal Systems Division Inc.

"Seeing a possible link between obesity and allergies provides additional motivation for undertaking the challenge of reducing childhood obesity," added Linda Birnbaum, the director of the U.S. National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.

Commentary: Childhood obesity has far reaching consequences, the severity of which can never be fully known. Responsible parents who actually practice loving their children (as opposed to just talking about it) should take heed and do everything they can to combat obesity in their children.