Losing Weight May Ease Asthma in Obese People | WPN World People News

Losing weight may help reduce asthma severity in obese adults, a new Canadian study finds.

"We were pleased to see significant improvement in asthma symptoms, as well as quality of life for these individuals. This study further supports the need to manage [chronic disorders] to improve patient lives," said expert.

People who are obese are about 1.5 times more likely to have asthma than those who aren't obese. A 3-unit increase in body mass index -- BMI, an estimate of body fat based on weight and height -- is associated with a 35 percent increase in the risk of asthma, the researchers said.

A BMI of 18.5 to 24.9 is considered normal weight. A BMI of 25 to 29.9 is overweight, while 30 and over is considered obese.

The study found that when obese people with asthma lost weight, they showed improvement in asthma severity, asthma control and quality of life.

Source: U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services