Prevalence of asthma symptoms and association with obesity, sedentary lifestyle and sociodemographic factors: data from the Hellenic National Action Plan for the assessment, prevention and treatment of childhood obesity (MIS301205)

AbstractObjectives: To evaluate the prevalence of asthma symptoms in a representative sample of Greek schoolchildren and to evaluate its association with overweight/obesity as well as other socioeconomic, demographic, and lifestyle factors. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study conducted from 10/2012 to 12/2013 on a pre-selected, representative elementary school cohort. Parents completed standardized questionnaires evaluating among others socioeconomic and sedentary activity habits. Students were measured with high sensitivity methods. Socioeconomic status (SES) index (range: 0–13) was calculated on years of parental education, rented versus owned residence, size of residence evaluated as meters squared per person (m2/person), and number of vehicles. Asthma was defined according to the approved Greek version of the International Study on Allergies and Asthma in Childhood (ISAAC) criteria. Results: The prevalence of any asthma symptoms was documented in 31% of population. The odds of presenting any asth...