Prospective Study of Dietary Factors, BMI, and Risk of Asthma in Children

Asthma is a common illness among children in the United States. While there are many known causes of asthma, including tobacco smoke, pollen, dust, or other allergens, the exact cause of asthma in some individuals remains unknown. This study will examine the role that specific dietary factors and body mass index (BMI) play in the development of childhood asthma.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Asthma

Detailed Description

Asthma prevalence has steadily increased in the United States since the early 1980s, but the exact cause of this increase remains unknown. It is estimated that at least 8% of Americans have asthma. Although anti-inflammatory medications have proven effective for decreasing asthma exacerbations, there are few treatment options available to prevent the initial onset of the disease. Dietary factors and BMI may play a role in the development of asthma. Specifically, individuals who eat foods containing antioxidants (e.g., vitamin C, vitamin E, and carotenoids), n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (e.g., fish oils), and vitamin D may have a decreased risk of developing asthma, while individuals with higher BMI ratios may have an increased asthma risk. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the relationship among dietary factors, BMI, and the incidence of asthma among children.

This study will enroll children participating in the Growing Up Today study and children of nurses who are participating in the Nurses Health Study II. Researchers will analyze participants' previously completed questionnaires on dietary intake, physical activity, height, weight, and the presence of physician-diagnosed asthma. All participants with physician-diagnosed asthma will receive an additional asthma questionnaire. A small portion of these participants will also have their medical records reviewed by study researchers, and mothers of these children will be asked to complete a questionnaire. Additionally, a questionnaire will be sent to and completed by children who do not have asthma and their mothers.

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Actual): 16000

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• United States
  • Massachusetts
    • Boston, Massachusetts, United States, 02115
      • Channing Laboratory, Brigham and Women's Hospital

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 9 years to 14 years (CHILD)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

U.S. children

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Children of women in the Nurses Health Study II (NHS2)
• Participated in the Growing Up Today study

Exclusion Criteria:

• None

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Time Frame
incident asthma	childhood

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Brigham and Women's Hospital
• Collaborators: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Carlos A. Camargo, MD, DrPH, Channing Laboratory, Brigham and Women's Hospital

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start: January 1, 2007
• Primary Completion (ACTUAL): December 1, 2008
• Study Completion (ACTUAL): December 1, 2008

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: March 28, 2007
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 29, 2007
• First Posted (ESTIMATE): March 30, 2007

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (ESTIMATE): December 27, 2012
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: December 24, 2012
• Last Verified: December 1, 2012

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Diet; Body Mass Index; BMI
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Respiratory Tract Diseases; Immune System Diseases; Lung Diseases; Hypersensitivity, Immediate; Bronchial Diseases; Lung Diseases, Obstructive; Respiratory Hypersensitivity; Hypersensitivity; Asthma
• Other Study ID Numbers: 1376; R01HL084401-01A1 (NIH)