Exposure to high levels of air pollution can lead to obesity in children and increase their risk for asthma, suggests a new study.

The study, conducted by the Lung Care Foundation and Pulmocare Research and Education, stated that obese children had 79% higher likelihood of having asthma. The association was highest in Delhi, which faces hazardous air quality every year. The study stated that although there could be several causes for childhood obesity, ambient air pollution could serve as a major contributor.

This is the first study in India to show an association between overweight children, asthma and air pollution. Lung Care Foundation assessed 3,157 children in 12 schools, randomly selected from Delhi, and southern cities of Kottayam and Mysuru, both of which have relatively cleaner air. Around 39.8% of the children from Delhi were overweight, compared to 16.4% from Kottayam and Mysuru… (BBC, September 3, 2021)