Asthma symptoms in rural living Tanzanian children; prevalence and the relation to aerobic fitness and body fat

Objective: To determine the prevalence of asthma symptoms in children from a rural district in North-Tanzania, and their relationship to aerobic fitness and body fat. Methods: In Manyara region in Tanzania, children (aged 9-10 years) were randomly selected to participate in the present cross-sectional study. Hundred and seventy two participants completed a video questionnaire showing the symptoms and signs of asthma. Lung function was measured by maximum forced expiratory flow-volume curves. Aerobic fitness was estimated from a standardized indirect maximal cycle ergometer test and sum of three skinfolds reflected body fat. Results: Twenty four per cent reported asthma symptoms last year. Severe wheezing attacks last year were reported in 5% of the participants. Thirty seven per cent of the participants were underweight. Underweight children had significantly lower (P < 0.02) lung function (per cent of predicted). Lower body fat was associated with higher occurrence of asthma symptoms (odds ratio and 95% CI; 0.45 (0.22-0.95; P = 0.04). Aerobic fitness was not associated with asthma symptoms. Conclusions: More than every fifth 9-10 year old child from a rural district in North-Tanzania reported asthma symptoms. Lower body fat was associated with higher occurrence of asthma symptoms, but aerobic fitness was not associated with asthma symptoms.