Optimise primary/ secondary preventive actions for high body mass index (childhood [CRF-002] and adult [CRF-003] obesity).
There is a significant association between BMI and asthma among children and adolescents (BMC Pediatr 2018 Apr 26;18(1):143). The nature of this association is unclear, but evidence indicates high BMI precedes development of asthma symptoms (J Acad Nutr Diet 2013 Jan;113(1):77–105).
Higher asthma prevalence, and increased frequency of exacerbations and hospitalisation for asthma are reported; obesity is a risk factor for poor asthma control (Surg Obes Relat Dis 2018 Dec 22. pii: S1550-7289(18)31082–7).
Weight loss in people with obesity and asthma may improve asthma-related outcomes (Ann Am Thorac Soc 2019 Jan 3).
The Respiratory health delivery plan (WG 2018) notes obesity (together with smoking) is a major contributory factor to the levels of respiratory disease.