Adherence to a modified Mediterranean diet and in association with asthma and wheezing in schoolchildren: A cross-sectional study

Background

Limited investigations have focused on the association between the Mediterranean dietary (MeD) and asthma among children and adolescents. We aimed to study the associations between a modified Mediterranean dietary pattern and asthma symptoms in children living in Iran.

Method

This cross-sectional study was conducted among 7667 children and adolescence. Data on dietary intakes, asthma symptoms and other possible confounders, were collected using a questionnaire completed by parents. The relationship between Mediterranean diet (MeD) and asthma was assessed using logistic regression.

Results

We found that participants in the highest quartile of MeD score had 32% lower odds of wheezing in the past 12 months in the whole population when compared with those in the lowest quartile (OR: 0.68; 95% CI: 0.51–0.90; P_trend < 0.001). Regarding the wheezing, a linear reducing trend was observed in girls (OR: 0.88; 95% CI: 0.62–1.25; P_trend = 0.04); and a significant protective association was seen among boys (OR: 0.45; 95% CI: 0.28–0.73; P_trend < 0.001). Analyses by gender showed, girls and boys in the highest quartile had 68% and 51% lower odds of current asthma in comparison with the first quartile.

Conclusion

Mediterranean-style diet emphasizing high in fruits, vegetables, and cereals and low in fast foods is associated with reduced wheezing as an asthma-related symptom. On the other hand, meat intake has adverse correlation with asthma prevalence. No association was found between this dietary pattern and asthma. Further prospective investigations should be conducted to confirm these findings.