Weight gain from birth to three years predicts wheezing among 5-year old boys and eczema among 5-year old girls in the Manchester Asthma and Allergy Study (MAAS) birth cohort

Background: Although obesity has been associated with asthma, prospective studies have been limited among children. As increasing obesity prevalence have been observed even among young children, it is unclear whether asthma-related symptoms are observed at an earlier age. We examined the prospective relation between weight gain in early childhood and wheezing, eczema and allergic sensitisation among 5-year old children.Methods: Children (N=755) were followed prospectively from birth at age 3 and 5 years. Anthropometric measures were taken and parentally reported symptoms were assessed using a validated questionnaire. At the clinic, eczema was assessed by a physician and skin prick test was conducted. Results: The odds ratio (OR) for wheezing among 5-year old boys was 1.36 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.14 to 1.61) per 1 kg increase in weight gained from birth to three years; the OR for 5-year old girls was 1.12 (0.89 to 1.40). The odds ratio (OR) for eczema among 5-year old girls was 1.27 (95% CI 1.02 to 1.58) per 1 kg increase in weight gained from birth to three years; the OR for 5-year old boys was 1.11 (0.86 to 1.41). The results remained independent of height, gestational age and various potential confounders. Early weight gain was unrelated to atopy at age 5 years.Conclusion: Early growth was associated with the development of wheezing and eczema at pre-school age, although the explanations for the sex-specific associations remain unclear. Excess weight in early childhood may contribute to an earlier onset of wheezing and eczema.