Losing Weight Is Important for Managing Asthma

Weight Loss Important for Managing Asthma Assoc. Prof. Zeynep Çelebi Sözener, a member of Turkey's National Allergy and Clinical Immunology Association (AİD), stated that increased fatty tissue in the body increases asthma severity and disrupts asthma control, saying "Dietary intervention provides asthma control in obese patients and improves quality of life."

Asthma Prevalence Rising Steadily

The disease, manifesting through symptoms such as repeated shortness of breath, wheezing or whistling sounds during breathing, chest tightness and cough, is estimated to affect approximately 300 million people worldwide. In Turkey, approximately one in every 12-13 adults and one in 7-8 children suffers from asthma. The prevalence of asthma has been increasing over the years.

Diet Improves Quality of Life for Asthma Patients

Healthy nutrition during asthma treatment positively affects the course of the disease. According to research by Ankara University evaluating the effects of diet-related weight loss on asthma, asthmatic patients on a diet experience reduced coughing and shortness of breath complaints. Providing information about the research findings, Assoc. Prof. Zeynep Çelebi Sözener, a member of Turkey's National Allergy and Clinical Immunology Association (AİD), continued: "In our research, we evaluated a total of 55 obese asthmatic patients. We applied a weight-loss diet to one group while applying normal nutrition to the other group. We gave the diet group a 10-week diet program consisting of 3 main meals and 3 snacks, and measured participants' respiratory function. Following this energy-restricted diet, findings such as total body weight, total body fat, and waist circumference in participants decreased significantly compared to the other group. Associated with the recorded decrease, we observed significant improvements in asthmatic patients." Assoc. Prof. Zeynep Çelebi Sözener, noting that coughing and shortness of breath complaints became less frequent in asthmatic patients on a diet, stated: "We found that patients' nighttime awakenings decreased compared to before, their respiratory capacity increased, and their quality of life improved. Dietary intervention improved asthma control and quality of life in obese patients."