Abstract

Background: This study was developed to explore the relationship between asthma and obesity and the impact of that association on children#x2019;s physical activities. Potential age and gender differences in the association between asthma, obesity, and activity were also examined. Methods: Children were recruited from outpatient physician clinics to participate in a cross-sectional study. Child body mass index percentile and asthma severity were clinically assessed. Children#x2019;s physical activity was assessed through parent report and assigned appropriate metabolic equivalent task (MET) scores. Results: 75 children participated in the study. Regardless of their asthmatic and weight statuses, boys and girls significantly differed based on their average MET scores (p = .007), respectively. Younger, mildly asthmatic children had significantly higher MET scores than older, mildly asthmatics (plt;.05); younger, severe asthmatics had moderately higher average MET scores than older, severe asthmatics (p lt;.05). Conclusion: Young asthmatic children and boys overall are more physically active than the older, asthmatic children and girls overall, respectively.