The Role of Nutritional Factors in Asthma: Challenges and Opportunities for Epidemiological Research

Annabelle Bédard, Zhen Li, Wassila Ait-hadad, Carlos A. Camargo, Bénédicte Leynaert, Christophe Pison, Orianne Dumas and Raphaëlle Varraso
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Annabelle Bédard: Université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, University Paris-Sud, Inserm, Équipe d’Épidémiologie Respiratoire Intégrative, CESP, 94807 Villejuif, France
Zhen Li: Clinical Research Centre, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China
Wassila Ait-hadad: Université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, University Paris-Sud, Inserm, Équipe d’Épidémiologie Respiratoire Intégrative, CESP, 94807 Villejuif, France
Carlos A. Camargo: Department of Emergency Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
Bénédicte Leynaert: Université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, University Paris-Sud, Inserm, Équipe d’Épidémiologie Respiratoire Intégrative, CESP, 94807 Villejuif, France
Christophe Pison: Service Hospitalier Universitaire Pneumologie, Pôle Thorax et Vaisseaux, CHU Grenoble Alpes, Laboratoire de Bioénergétique Fondamentale et Appliquée, Inserm 1055, Université Grenoble Alpes, 38400 Grenoble, France
Orianne Dumas: Université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, University Paris-Sud, Inserm, Équipe d’Épidémiologie Respiratoire Intégrative, CESP, 94807 Villejuif, France
Raphaëlle Varraso: Université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, University Paris-Sud, Inserm, Équipe d’Épidémiologie Respiratoire Intégrative, CESP, 94807 Villejuif, France

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 6, 1-20

Abstract: The prevalence of asthma has nearly doubled over the last decades. Twentieth century changes in environmental and lifestyle factors, including changes in dietary habits, physical activity and the obesity epidemic, have been suggested to play a role in the increase of asthma prevalence and uncontrolled asthma worldwide. A large body of evidence has suggested that obesity is a likely risk factor for asthma, but mechanisms are still unclear. Regarding diet and physical activity, the literature remains inconclusive. Although the investigation of nutritional factors as a whole (i.e., the “diet, physical activity and body composition” triad) is highly relevant in terms of understanding underlying mechanisms, as well as designing effective public health interventions, their combined effects across the life course has not received a lot of attention. In this review, we discuss the state of the art regarding the role of nutritional factors in asthma, for each window of exposure. We focus on the methodological and conceptual challenges encountered in the investigation of the complex time-dependent interrelations between nutritional factors and asthma and its control, and their interaction with other determinants of asthma. Lastly, we provide guidance on how to address these challenges, as well as suggestions for future research.

Keywords: asthma; asthma control; diet; physical activity; body composition; nutritional factors (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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