Belly fat, alcohol associated with increased asthma risk

DRINKING alcohol in moderate quantities can reduce the risk of asthma, while belly fat, known clinically as central obesity, has been linked to the development of asthma, according to new studies by Danish researchers.The studies, presented recently at the European Respiratory Society's Annual Congress in Amsterdam, found that drinking one to six units of alcohol a week could reduce the risk of developing the condition and central obesity as a risk factor for the disease.The research examined 19,349 twins between the ages of 12 and 41 years of age. All participants completed a questionnaire at the start and end of the study to compare alcohol intake with the risk of developing asthma over eight years.The results showed that the lowest risk of asthma was seen in the group which had a moderate intake of alcohol, as less than four per cent of those who drank one to six units per week developed asthma.The highest risk of asthma was observed in people who drank rarely or never, as they were 1.4-times more likely to develop the condition. Heavy drinkers also had an increased risk of asthma development and were 1.2-times more likely to develop asthma.The results also suggested that a preference for beer drinking was associated with an increased risk of asthma when compared with no preference.Previous studies have found a link between excessive intake of alcohol and asthma attacks; however, this is the first study of its kind to show a link between alcohol intake and the onset of asthma for adults over a long period of time.Sofie Lieberoth, from the Bispebjerg Hospital in Denmark, said: 'Whilst excessive alcohol intake can cause health problems, the findings of our study suggest that a moderate intake of one to six units can reduce the risk of developing asthma. By examining all the factors linked with the development of asthma, we can understand more about what causes the condition and how to prevent it.'Meanwhile, excess abdominal fat has been linked with a number of health effects, such as diabetes and heart disease, but there has been little focus on its link with lung disease.Previous studies have found a link between asthma and body mass index (BMI), which is a marker for overall obesity. This new study looked at waist circumference, which is a marker for central obesity, to see whether this form of obesity could also contribute to asthma risk. The research is one of the first prospective studies to investigate the individual and combined effect of central and overall obesity on incident asthma in adults.
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