Dietary pattern and asthma in India.

Introduction: The study aimed to evaluate the association between food consumption pattern and asthma in Indian population.

Material and methods: 125 asthma and corresponding age and sex matched healthy controls were recruited for the purpose of a study. A self- reported food-frequency questionnaire (NNR-Dietary Pattern in Asthma Questionnaire) comprising of 80 food and drink items, belonging to 15 groups, was developed based on routine dietary habits and ISAAC phase two and phase three questionnaires.

Results: There was no significant difference of gender, height, weight, BMI and socioeconomic status between asthma and control groups (p > 0.05). The consumption of fast food, salted snacks, fried snacks; nuts and dry fruits were significantly higher in asthmatics (p < 0.05). Similarly, there was a tendency to higher consumption of fats and oil, sugar and carbonated drink in asthmatics (p > 0.05). On the contrary, consumption of cereals, milk and milk products, non-vegetarian food, fruits and fruit juice tends to be higher in healthy controls, though neither of them could reach a statistically significant (p > 0.05).

Conclusion: Consumption of fast food, salted snacks, fried snacks, fats and oils nuts, dry fruits, carbonated drinks may be associated with asthma in India. Hence, it is imperative to reduce consumption and increase awareness of influence of fast food on asthma through public health policies.