BACKGROUND: The
prevalence of both
obesity and
allergic disease has increased among children over the last several decades. Previous literature on the relationship between
obesity and
allergic disease has been inconsistent. It is not known whether systemic
inflammation could be a factor in this relationship. OBJECTIVE: We sought to examine the association of
obesity with total and allergen-specific
IgE levels and
allergy symptoms in US children and adolescents and to assess the role of
C-reactive protein. METHODS: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data from 2005-2006 included measurement of total and allergen-specific
IgE levels and
allergy questions.
Overweight was defined as the 85th or greater to less than the
95th percentile of
body mass index for age, and
obesity was defined as the
95th percentile or greater. Linear and
logistic regression models were used to examine the association of weight categories with total
IgE levels,
atopy, allergen-specific
IgE levels, and
allergy symptoms among
youth aged 2 to 19 years. RESULTS:
Geometric mean total
IgE levels were higher among
obese (
geometric mean ratio, 1.31; 95% CI, 1.10-1.57) and
overweight (ratio, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.02-1.54) children than among normal-weight children. The
odds ratio (OR) for
atopy (any positive specific
IgE measurement) was increased in the
obese children compared with that seen in those of normal weight; this association was driven largely by
allergic sensitization to foods (OR for
atopy, 1.26 [95% CI, 1.03-1.55]; OR for food sensitization, 1.59 [95% CI, 1.28-1.98]).
C-reactive protein levels were associated with total
IgE levels,
atopy, and food sensitization. CONCLUSIONS:
Obesity might be a contributor to the increased
prevalence of
allergic disease in children, particularly
food allergy. Systemic
inflammation might play a role in the development of
allergic disease.
