Asthma symptoms in rural living Tanzanian XXXX ; prevalence and the relation to aerobic fitness and body fat.

@entity1 @entity565
OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of @entity565 symptoms in @entity1 from a rural district in North-Tanzania, and their relationship to aerobic fitness and body fat. METHODS: In Manyara region in Tanzania, @entity1 (aged 9-10 years) were randomly selected to participate in the present cross-sectional study. Hundred and seventy two @entity1 completed a video questionnaire showing the symptoms and signs of @entity565 . Lung function was measured by maximum forced expiratory flow-volume curves. Aerobic fitness was estimated from a standardized indirect maximal cycle ergometer test and sum of three skinfolds reflected body fat. RESULTS: Twenty four per cent reported @entity565 symptoms last year. Severe wheezing attacks last year were reported in 5% of the @entity1 . Thirty seven per cent of the @entity1 were underweight. Underweight @entity1 had significantly lower (P < 0.02) lung function (per cent of predicted). Lower body fat was associated with higher occurrence of @entity565 symptoms (odds ratio and 95% CI; 0.45 (0.22-0.95; P = 0.04). Aerobic fitness was not associated with @entity565 symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: More than every fifth 9-10 year old @entity1 from a rural district in North-Tanzania reported @entity565 symptoms. Lower body fat was associated with higher occurrence of @entity565 symptoms, but aerobic fitness was not associated with @entity565 symptoms.
