Introduction. Asthma and obesity are the most common chronic health disorders
in children. Although heredity plays a significant role in their
development, environmental factors and early exposure have contributed to
the increasing incidence of both disorders in recent decades. The aim of the
study was to estimate asthma prevalence in schoolchildren in Indjija, Srem
District, Serbia, and to investigate differences in nutritional status of
children with asthma as well as differences between their nutritional status
and prescribed asthma medications. Material and Methods. A cross-sectional
retrospective cohort study was conducted at the Primary Health Center in
Indjija. Of all the medical records of children aged 6 - 14 years, a cohort
of children with asthma was formed. The retrospective study evaluated their
nutritional status and the prescribed asthma medications. Results. The
prevalence of asthma in children aged 6 - 14 was 6.9%. Children with asthma
were significantly more overweight and obese (40.5%) than children without
asthma. Boys accounted for 63.7% of children with asthma, with a
statistically significant gender difference. Abnormal nutritional status was
found in 44.3% of children with asthma and boys with asthma were
significantly more obese (23%) compared to girls (7.8%). Overweight and
obese children with asthma were not prescribed significantly more
medications to relieve asthma symptoms than normal-weight children.
Conclusion. The prevalence of asthma among schoolchildren in Indjija was
6.9%. Children with asthma were more likely to be overweight and obese than
children without asthma, whereas boys with asthma were significantly more
obese than girls. No significant differences were found between their
nutritional status and prescribed asthma medications.
Types of Parental Psychosocial Stress Associated with Asthma Symptoms in Urban Children with Asthma