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Volume 7, Issue 6 (Suppl)
J Nutr Food Sci
ISSN: 2155-9600 JNFS, an open access journal
Nutritionists 2017
October 02-03, 2017
October 02-03, 2017 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
17
th
Global Dieticians and
Nutritionists Annual Meeting
A Mediterranean diet enriched with omega 3-polyunsaturated fatty acids in the management of
pediatric asthma: A randomized controlled trial
Maria Papamichael
1
, Ch Katsardis
2
, D Tsoukalas
3
, B Erbas
1
and C Itsiopoulos
1
1
La Trobe University, Australia
2
National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece
3
European Institute of Nutritional Medicine, Italy
T
he change in dietary patterns has contributed to the rise in obesity and asthma in children. Both chronic diseases are
associated with co-morbidities, considerable disability, poor quality of life and increase in medical costs. Research studies
have demonstrated that an elevated BMI is related to an increase in asthma risk and development of future exacerbations, less
asthma control and an increase need for medication use. The purpose of this Randomized Controlled Trial is to investigate
the effect of a Mediterranean diet enriched with fatty fish on asthma in Greek children. This is the first announcement of
baseline results for this intervention study. Sample consists of 72 children aged 5-12 years with doctor-diagnosed mild-asthma;
of which 54.2% are male and 45.8% females were recruited in this study. Children were randomized equally into two groups.
The intervention group is instructed to consume 2 fatty fish meals (at least 150 g cooked fish/meal) per week over a period of
6 months. And the control group, their usual diet. Statistical analysis of baseline data reveals that 64% of children are normal
height and 36% are tall. Regarding bodyweight, 1% of children are severely underweight, 3% are slightly underweight, 57% are
normal weight, 28% are overweight and 11% are obese, according to Hellenic pediatric growth charts. This finding is significant
since BMI seems to play a major role on asthma outcome in children. The effect of weight reduction in overweight asthmatic
children might be of great value for current treatment guidelines and in alleviation of asthma symptoms.
Biography
Maria Papamichael is a registered Dietician who has dedicated her life in educating people the importance of good nutrition and exercise in the prevention and
management of disease as well as in improving health and well-being. Being an asthma sufferer since childhood, has motivated her to undertake a PhD research
project at La Trobe University to investigate the prophylactic potential of a Mediterranean diet enriched with fatty fish in the management of asthma in children.
sassipap@hotmail.comMaria Papamichael et al., J Nutr Food Sci 2017, 7:6 (Suppl)
DOI: 10.4172/2155-9600-C1-051