Fruit and vegetable intakes and asthma in the E3N study. Issue 3 (5th January 2006)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Romieu, I; Varraso, R; Avenel, V; Leynaert, B; Kauffmann, F; Clavel-Chapelon, F
• Is Part Of: Thorax. Volume 61:Issue 3(2006)
• Page Start: 209
• Page End: 215
• Publication Date: 2006-01-05
• Subjects: asthma -- fruit -- vegetables -- diet -- women; Chest -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Thorax; Chest -- Diseases; Periodicals; Periodicals; 617.54
• DOI: 10.1136/thx.2004.039123
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0040-6376

Abstract

Abstract : Background: A study was undertaken to investigate whether dietary intake predicted the prevalence of adult asthma among French women participating in the E3N study. Methods: Of 68 535 women who completed a food frequency questionnaire in 1993 which included 238 food items, 2145 (3.1%) reported having asthma. The distribution of food intake was divided into quartiles (Q1 –Q4 ) and the prevalence of asthma was compared between the different quartiles (lowest as reference) using logistic regression models on cross sectional data. Results: After adjusting for age, body mass index, menopausal status, smoking status, total caloric intake, physical activity, and use of dietary supplements, women who had a greater intake of tomatoes (ORQ1–Q4 0.85 95% CI 0.75 to 0.96, test for trend p = 0.02), carrots (ORQ1–Q4 0.81 95% CI 0.72 to 0.92, test for trend p = 0.0003), and leafy vegetables (ORQ1–Q4 0.82 95% CI 0.73 to 0.93, test for trend p = 0.0009) had a lower prevalence of asthma. Apples were marginally related to the prevalence of asthma. No other fruits or vegetables were significantly associated with asthma prevalence. Conclusions: These results suggest that the intake of some vegetables may decrease the prevalence of adult asthma.