Higher Body Roundness Index Raises Asthma Risk in Youth

A recent study published online on August 6 in the *Annals of Human Biology* reports that a higher body roundness index (BRI) is linked to increased odds of current asthma among children and adolescents. The research, which examined a large cohort of young participants, found that those with greater body roundness—an indicator of central adiposity—were more likely to experience asthma symptoms compared with peers of lower BRI.

The investigators measured BRI, a metric that captures waist circumference relative to height, and compared it with asthma prevalence recorded through clinical assessments and self‑reported symptoms. Adjusting for age, sex, and other potential confounders, the analysis revealed a statistically significant association between elevated BRI and the presence of asthma, suggesting that central fat distribution may play a more critical role in respiratory disease risk than general obesity alone.

These findings underscore the importance of monitoring body roundness in pediatric populations and point to the need for targeted interventions that address central adiposity. By incorporating BRI assessment into routine health evaluations, clinicians may better identify children at higher risk for asthma and implement early lifestyle or medical strategies to mitigate this risk.