Sex, asthma and obesity: an intimate relationship?

摘要

The evidence for an association between obesity and asthma is increasingly compelling. Consistent evidence from numerous cross-sectional studies supports the view that obesity is associated with an increased risk of asthma. Furthermore, evidence from meta-analyses of cohort studies in adults [1] and children [2], showing that obesity precedes the development of asthma, suggests that the association may be causal. Nevertheless, the mechanisms underlying the obesity-asthma association remain a mystery.