Dietary Habits and Their Impact on Pediatric Obesity and Asthma: A Narrative Review with Emphasis on the Mediterranean Diet

Abstract

Obesity and asthma are increasingly prevalent chronic conditions that often coexist in the pediatric population and may influence each other through shared pathophysiological mechanisms. Obesity can affect asthma expression and severity via mechanical effects on the lungs, systemic inflammation, altered adipokine levels, and metabolic dysregulation. These mechanisms contribute to a distinct asthma phenotype in children with obesity that is often less responsive to standard therapy. Nutrition plays a critical role in this context by influencing immune function, inflammation, and respiratory outcomes. Specific dietary patterns, such as the Mediterranean diet, along with nutrients including vitamin D, antioxidants, and polyunsaturated fatty acids, have been associated with the modulation of airway inflammation and asthma risk. Additionally, early-life nutritional exposures and gut microbiota composition may influence immune development and the propensity for allergic diseases. This narrative review aims to synthesize current evidence on the interplay between obesity, asthma, and nutrition in the pediatric population, highlighting potential dietary interventions and targets for improved asthma management in children with obesity.