Fast foods - are they a risk factor for asthma?

Wellington Asthma Research Group, Wellington School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wellington, New Zealand.

BACKGROUND: Lifestyle changes over the last 30 years are the most likely explanation for the increase in allergic disease over this period. AIM: This study tests the hypothesis that the consumption of fast food is related to the prevalence of asthma and allergy. METHODS: As part of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) a cross-sectional prevalence study of 1321 children (mean age = 11.4 years, range: 10.1-12.5) was conducted in Hastings, New Zealand. Using standard questions we collected data on the prevalence of asthma and asthma symptoms, as well as food frequency data. Skin prick tests were performed to common environmental allergens and exercise-induced bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) was assessed according to a standard protocol. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated as weight/height2 (kg/m2) and classified into overweight and obese according to a standard international definition. RESULTS: After adjusting for lifestyle factors, including other diet and BMI variables, compared with children who never ate hamburgers, we found an independent risk of hamburger consumption on having a history of wheeze [consumption less than once a week (OR = 1.44, 95% CI: 1.06-1.96) and 1+ times a week (OR = 1.65, 95% CI: 1.07-2.52)] and on current wheeze [consumption less than once a week (OR = 1.17, 95% CI: 0.80-1.70) and 1+ times a week (OR = 1.81, 95% CI: 1.10-2.98)]. Takeaway consumption 1+ times a week was marginally significantly related to BHR (OR = 2.41, 95% CI: 0.99-5.91). There was no effect on atopy. CONCLUSIONS: Frequent consumption of hamburgers showed a dose-dependent association with asthma symptoms, and frequent takeaway consumption showed a similar association with BHR.

PMID: 16266387 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

친한 내과의 형이 입덧해도 절대 와이프한테 fastfood 먹게 하지 말라고 얼마전에 나한테 충고해줬었다. 아기가 천식이나 아토피 같은 알러지 질환이 걸릴 확률이 높아진다고...
그래서 PubMed 를 검색해봤는데,'햄버거를 자주 먹는 것이 천식과 양적인 관련성이 있고, 잦은 인스턴트 음식의 섭취도 기관지 과민성과 비슷한 관련성이 있다'는 논문을 찾을 수 있었다. 이걸 근거로 와이프 임신한 이후로는 라면, 햄버거 등등의 패스트푸드는 절대 못 먹게 하고 있다. 그래서 요즘 내가 밤에 야식으로 라면 끓여 먹는 걸 보면 옆에서 미칠려고 한다^^