Obesity Linked to Allergy and Inflammation

Increasing Prevalence of Overweight and Allergic Children

Apr 20, 2009

Allergen-specific IgE, inflammatory C-reactive protein and BMI were measured in children and adolescents. Obese children were likely to show inflammation and allergies.

Increasing obesity in U.S. children and adolescents, is now associated with a rise in allergic disease. Results are now in on the analysis of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey for 2005-2006 (reference below.) The data suggest that obesity and allergy may be linked by inflammation.

Obesity and Allergy Increase in Young

The increase in childhood obesity in the US population has been dramatic over the last two decades, from about 5% in 1980 to 20% in 2005. During that same time allergic response to skin tests has almost doubled in children from 22% to 42%. The association between obesity and allergy has been tentative and a large study was designed to determine if inflammation was the link between obesity and allergy.

Allergy Measured by IgE antibodies

Allergy results from the production of a class of antibodies, immunoglobulin type E (IgE), in response to a non-self protein or carbohydrates, i.e. allergens, such as the surface protein of ragweed pollen or dust mite feces. The IgE molecules are released from lymphocytes and circulate in the blood stream until they are bound to special receptors on the surface of mast cells. The mast cells are located on mucus membranes where they typically come in contact with invading pathogens, or in the case of allergies, with airborne particles or food. Allergens binding to IgE/receptors complexes trigger mast cells to release histamine and produce the runny eyes and sniffles of allergies.

Measuring the IgE levels specific to particular allergens can be done indirectly by skin tests or by direct analysis of IgE in blood serum. Thus, high serum IgE is an indication of an intense allergic response to a potential allergen.

Inflammation Measured by C-reactive Protein

Inflammation can be observed as swelling, reddening and pain. Severe local infections can also cause the release of some acute response proteins, such as C-reactive protein, from the liver. So, elevated serum C-reactivity can be used as a measure of chronic inflammation.

Allergy Increases with Obesity and Inflammation

The medical literature suggests that obesity (BMI), allergy (IgE) and inflammation (C-reactive protein) are related, and a recent study attempted to shed light on those relationships in children. Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey for 2005-2006, were analyzed and the key findings were:

Does Inflammation Cause Obesity and Allergy?

These results suggest some causal relationships that are being actively examined in clinical studies. Inflammation appears to be the foundation for the development of allergy, as well as many degenerative diseases. Fat cells produce inflammatory hormones. A major question is whether inflammation precedes obesity or obesity leads to inflammation and allergy. In either case, it seems obvious that prevention of childhood obesity, inflammation and allergy will be based on an anti-inflammatory diet and lifestyle/exercise.

Visness CM, London SJ, Daniels JL, Kaufman JS, Yeatts KB, Siega-Riz AM, Liu AH, Calatroni A, Zeldin DC. 2009. Association of obesity with IgE levels and allergy symptoms in children and adolescents: Results from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2005-2006. J Allergy Clin Immunol. Feb 20. [Epub ahead of print]

The copyright of the article Obesity Linked to Allergy and Inflammation in Allergies is owned by Art Ayers. Permission to republish Obesity Linked to Allergy and Inflammation in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.