Background Meteorological factors and obesity are linked to pediatric asthma exacerbations, but it remains unclear whether overweight/ obese children are more vulnerable to these meteorological stressors. This study examined the associations of meteorological factors and obesity on pediatric asthma hospitalization. Methods This case-control study included 6956 pediatric asthma patients, with 1060 cases (at least one asthma-related hospitalization), and 5896 controls (no hospitalizations). Individual exposures to relative humidity (RH) and temperature were estimated using radial basis function interpolation at 1-day, 7-day, and 1-month intervals. Logistic regression models evaluated the associations between meteorological conditions and hospitalization, while also analyzing interactions with body weight (normal versus overweight/obese). Results A 1% increase in 1-month mean RH was associated with 8% decrease in the odds ratio (OR) for hospitalization (OR: 0.92, 95% CI: 0.87–0.99). Higher mean temperature, together with overweight/obesity, was associated with increased ORs for hospitalization: 42% (OR: 1.42, 95% CI: 1.04–1.93) over 1 day, 39% (OR: 1.39, 95% CI: 1.01–1.94) over 7 days, and 44% (OR: 1.44, 95% CI: 1.01–2.03) over 1 month. Conclusion Higher RH was protective against hospitalization, whereas elevated temperatures with overweight/obesity increased hospitalization. These findings indicate that meteorological conditions with body weight are important considerations in pediatric asthma management. Impact <UnorderedList Mark="Bullet"> <ItemContent> Higher mean temperature, together with overweight or obesity, was associated with an increased odds ratio for hospitalization compared to the normal-weight group. </ItemContent> <ItemContent> It provides new evidence that asthmatic children with overweight or obesity are more susceptible to environmental stressors than normal-weight group. </ItemContent> <ItemContent> This study highlights the need to consider both body weight and meteorological factors, specifically temperature and humidity, in pediatric asthma management. </ItemContent> </UnorderedList> Category of study: Clinical study

Associations of meteorological factors and obesity on pediatric asthma hospitalization

期刊论文
发表日期：

2025年10月14日

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Xuan Ngoc Tran,
Yueh-Lun Lee,
Yuan-Chien Lin,
Ta-Yuan Chang,
Li-Te Chang,
Kin-Fai Ho,
Kai-Jen Chuang,
Kian Fan Chung,
Jer-Hwa Chang,
Hsiao-Chi Chuang

摘要

Background

Meteorological factors and obesity are linked to pediatric asthma exacerbations, but it remains unclear whether overweight/ obese children are more vulnerable to these meteorological stressors. This study examined the associations of meteorological factors and obesity on pediatric asthma hospitalization.

Methods

This case-control study included 6956 pediatric asthma patients, with 1060 cases (at least one asthma-related hospitalization), and 5896 controls (no hospitalizations). Individual exposures to relative humidity (RH) and temperature were estimated using radial basis function interpolation at 1-day, 7-day, and 1-month intervals. Logistic regression models evaluated the associations between meteorological conditions and hospitalization, while also analyzing interactions with body weight (normal versus overweight/obese).

Results

A 1% increase in 1-month mean RH was associated with 8% decrease in the odds ratio (OR) for hospitalization (OR: 0.92, 95% CI: 0.87–0.99). Higher mean temperature, together with overweight/obesity, was associated with increased ORs for hospitalization: 42% (OR: 1.42, 95% CI: 1.04–1.93) over 1 day, 39% (OR: 1.39, 95% CI: 1.01–1.94) over 7 days, and 44% (OR: 1.44, 95% CI: 1.01–2.03) over 1 month.

Conclusion

Higher RH was protective against hospitalization, whereas elevated temperatures with overweight/obesity increased hospitalization. These findings indicate that meteorological conditions with body weight are important considerations in pediatric asthma management.

Impact

Higher mean temperature, together with overweight or obesity, was associated with an increased odds ratio for hospitalization compared to the normal-weight group.

It provides new evidence that asthmatic children with overweight or obesity are more susceptible to environmental stressors than normal-weight group.

This study highlights the need to consider both body weight and meteorological factors, specifically temperature and humidity, in pediatric asthma management.

Category of study: Clinical study