Higher diversity of vegetable consumption is associated with less airway inflammation and prevalence of asthma in school-aged children.

BACKGROUND: A diet rich in fruits and vegetables has been suggested to counteract the oxidative stress and inflammation that characterize asthma. We aimed to assess the association between vegetable and fruit diversity consumption and asthma and its related outcomes in school-aged children. METHODS: Participants included 647 children (49% females, aged 7-12 years) recruited from 20 public schools across the city of Porto, in Portugal. Vegetable intake and fruit intake were ascertained using a single self-reported 24-hour recall questionnaire. A diversity score was built taking into account the different number of individual vegetables and fruits consumed and categorized into two groups based on the total reported median consumption, which was rounded to the nearest whole number (≤3 and >3, for vegetables; and ≤1 and >1, for fruits). A questionnaire was used to enquire about self-reported medical diagnosis of asthma and respiratory symptoms. Airway inflammation was assessed measuring exhaled fractional nitric oxide concentration (eNO) and was categorized into two groups (<35 and ≥35 ppb). The association between fruit and vegetable diversity and respiratory outcomes was examined using logistic regression models, adjusting for confounders. RESULTS: A higher vegetable diversity consumption per day was negatively associated with having self-reported asthma (OR = 0.67; 95% CI 0.47, 0.95), while having a vegetable diversity consumption superior to 3 items per day was negatively associated with levels of eNO ≥ 35 ppb (OR = 0.38; 95% CI 0.16, 0.88) and breathing difficulties (OR = 0.39; 95% CI 0.16, 0.97). CONCLUSION: Eating a greater variety of vegetables was associated with a lower chance of airway inflammation and prevalence of self-reported asthma in school children.

AlergiaPT: A Portuguese media campaign to inspire people with allergies to make a positive change in their life.

Allergic diseases comprise a significant cause of morbidity worldwide and a substantial burden on the health and medical systems of both developed and emerging economies. Although highly prevalent, relatively severe, and largely impactful on the quality of life of patients, allergic diseases are commonly trivialized. Increasing awareness of the relevance of allergic diseases as a major public health problem might lead to an improved acknowledgment by governments and health authorities. Based on the positive impact that media campaigns might have on health-related behaviors, as well as the large use of social media by different types of users, social media might be used as a powerful tool for spreading awareness and education even more effective than traditional face-to-face communication. Therefore, we aimed to develop a social media-based communication program, the AlergiaPT, reaching all stakeholders, to increase the awareness of allergic diseases tackling the causes, prevention, control, and economic impact. The AlergiaPT will provide user-generated and interactive content toward engagement, include both long-form and short-form video productions toward education, as well as stories and time-sensitive content toward empowerment. It will be targeted to all populations, engaging different stakeholders. Contents will address the 5 campaign goals: i) allergy health is promoted; ii) tolerance is actively reinforced, and avoidance reduced; iii) treatment control and guided self-management of patients of asthma, rhinitis, food allergy, and atopic eczema are strengthened; iv) recognition and treatment of severe allergy and anaphylaxis are improved, and v) indoor air quality is promoted. Engagement on the campaign will be promoted through stepwise educational takeaways meetings using different social media, and targeting all audience groups, by promoting the organization of resources for common goals and the involvement of social media to improve public awareness. The impact of AlergiaPT will be assessed through google analytics.