Physical Activity in School-Aged Children with Asthma in an Urban City of Taiwan

BackgroundIt has been reported that physical activity is limited in children with asthma. The aims of this study were to compare and quantify the physical activity levels between asthmatic children and their healthy peers. Factors associated with limitation of physical activity in asthmatic children were also investigated.MethodsA total of 120 asthmatic children and 262 age-matched healthy controls were enrolled in this study. Clinical phenotype including severity and lung function were obtained from medical records. A questionnaire addressing physical activity, asthma diagnosis, symptoms, parental health beliefs, physician's advice and, community resources was accomplished by children and their parents. The physical activity levels of children with and without asthma were compared. Factors that might limit the activity level were analyzed.ResultsChildren with asthma were less active than their peers. The significant difference was between normal controls and moderate-to-severe asthmatic children, but not children with mild asthma. Among children with asthma, physical activity was associated with the severity level but not parental health beliefs, physician's advice, or the convenience for physical activity. Children with moderate or severe persistent asthma were more likely to be inactive.ConclusionChildren with asthma had a lower level of physical activity, particularly those with moderate-to-severe asthma. To achieve an appropriate level of physical activity, improvement of asthma management and control is considered important.