BODY MASS INDEX (BMI) AFFECTION ON BRONCHIAL ASTHMA CONTROL IN CHILDREN IN JEDDAH

Introduction: Most Saudi asthmatic children/adolescents visiting the ED had poor control of symptoms; indeed, none achieved complete control, which is related to deficient medication compliance and improper medication inhaler device use; deficient knowledge about asthma was also another factor hindering control. The objective from this study To analyze the relationship between obesity (measured by body mass index) and asthma control in the children known to have bronchial asthma. Method: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among primary and intermediate schools in Jeddah city, Saudi Arabia. A self-administered questionnaire for parents with asthmatic children was sent with each pupil, to be filled by one of his/ her parents at home and then to be returned on the next day. The questionnaire responses were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS Inc. Chicago, IL, USA) version 23. Result:(76%) of the parents education level was intermediate and secondary school. Obese children with uncontrolled asthma were higher than obese children with controlled asthma (P<.05). (20%) of children with uneducated parents have uncontrolled bronchial asthma, compared to other children with primary, intermediate, secondary, and graduated parents (P