An analysis of U.S. health data suggests that what preschool children eat could play a critical role in preventing asthma, one of the most common chronic diseases in childhood.
In the study, “Association Between Five Dietary Indices and Childhood Asthma: The Mediating Role of Visceral Adiposity Indicators Using NHANES Data,” researchers found that adherence to healthier dietary patterns significantly reduced asthma risk.
The study examined data from 1,695 children aged three to five years in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Researchers evaluated the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet, Mediterranean diet (MED), Healthy Eating Index 2020 (HEI-2020) and Alternative Healthy Eating Index (AHEI). Children with higher scores on these diets were less likely to have asthma, while those consuming more pro-inflammatory foods scored higher on the Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII) and faced greater risk. The study was published in BMC Pediatrics.
Key findings include:
- DASH diet: Associated with a 33% lower risk of developing asthma in the highest adherence group.
- Mediterranean diet: Linked to a 22% lower risk of developing asthma.
- HEI-2020 and AHEI: Showed significant protective effects.
- Pro-inflammatory diets (high DII): Increased asthma prevalence.
The study also revealed that body fat indicators, such as BMI and visceral adiposity, partially mediate the link between diet and asthma, suggesting that obesity and fat distribution amplify asthma risk.
The study’s authors noted that their results highlight the importance of early-life nutrition in respiratory health. They urged clinicians to remind parents that diets rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and healthy fats reduce inflammation and improve long-term outcomes.
