Study finds obesity and super obesity associated with increased risk of asthma

Asthma is reaching epidemic levels in the U.S., with 8 percent of the total population and 10 percent of the African-American population suffering from this disease. Obesity rates are also increasing, now affecting 34 percent of the population. A new study presented at the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology annual meeting in Phoenix, Nov. 11-16, found that obese and super obese adults were significantly more likely to have asthma than normal weight or overweight (but not obese) adults. "An aggressive intervention for weight loss is an important adjunctive strategy for the treatment of patients with asthma," study authors say.