Table 1. Baseline characteristics.
| Total group (n = 87) | Intervention group (n = 43) | Control group (n = 44) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baseline characteristics | |||
| Age in years, median (IQR) | 12.2 (3.5) | 12.3 (14.5) | 11.9 (2.5) |
| Males, n/N* (% male) | 53/87 (61) | 26/43 (61) | 27/44 (61) |
| Parents with a low education level, n/N* (%) | 30/87 (34) | 21/43 (49) | 9/44 (20) |
| Average parental BMI, median (IQR) | 27.7 (6.6) | 26.9 (6.8) | 28.4 (6.2) |
| Anthropometrics | |||
| BMI in kg/m2, median (IQR) | 25.2 (5.3) | 25.0 (6.6) | 25.2 (5.1) |
| BMI-SDS, mean (SD) | 2.34 (0.55) | 2.37 (0.58) | 2.32 (0.52) |
| Obese children (BMI-SDS≥2.3), n/N* (%) | 45/87 (52) | 23/43 (53) | 22/44 (50) |
| Skin fold thickness in cm, median (IQR) | 129.8 (59.0) | 125.0 (75.5) | 130.0 (45.5) |
| Waist circumference in cm, median (IQR) | 92.9 (16.1) | 90.5 (19.5) | 94.0 (10.4) |
| Asthma features | |||
| Diagnosed asthma, n/N* (%) | 68/87 (78) | 32/43 (74) | 36/44 (82) |
| Atopic, n/N* (%) | 16/67 (24) | 9/34 (27) | 7/33 (21) |
| FEV1 in % predicted, mean (SD) | 90.0 (15.2) | 90.4 (13.6) | 89.7 (16.8) |
| FVC in % predicted, mean (SD) | 93.9 (11.4) | 93.8 (10.1) | 94.0 (12.7) |
| FEV1 /FVC in %, mean (SD) | 80.3 (8.5) | 80.6 (7.6) | 80.1 (9.4) |
| ERV in % predicted, mean (SD) | 79.2 (25.3) | 75.9 (26.2) | 82.1 (24.5) |
| PC20 histamine, median (IQR) | 1.81 (4.92) | 2.08 (4.31) | 1.40 (5.57) |
| Uncontrolled asthma according to (c)-ACT, n/N* (%)† | 23/68 (34) | 11/32 (34) | 12/36 (33) |
| PAQLQ, median (IQR) † | 6.26 (0.87) | 6.17 (0.72) | 6.30 (1.35) |
| Use of SABA, n/N* (%)† | 29/68 (43) | 14/32 (44) | 15/36 (42) |
| Use of more than one dose equivalent SABA, n/N* (%)†, ƍ | 16/68 (24) | 11/32 (34) | 5/36 (14) |
| Use of ICS, n/N* (%)† | 29/68 (43) | 10/32 (31) | 19/36 (53) |
| Use of more than one dose equivalent ICS, n/N* (%)†,ƍ | 12/68 (18) | 3/32 (9) | 9/36 (25) |
| Inflammatory parameters | |||
| FeNO in ppb, median (IQR) | 15.8 (30.7) | 15.0 (34.0) | 16.8 (29.5) |
| Serum leptin in ng/ml, median (IQR) | 1.83 (2.45) | 1.83 (2.40) | 1.83 (2.49) |
| Serum adiponectin in mg/mL, mean (SD) | 11.6 (4.2) | 11.2 (4.6) | 12.0 (3.7) |
* n/N: Number of participants with a positive outcome for this parameter/Number of participants measured. Numbers (N) may not add up to 87, 43 and 44, respectively due to missing values or, in case of asthma related parameters (†), as these parameters were only demonstrated for asthmatic participants (not for participants with a high risk of developing asthma).
ƍ Dose equivalents were calculated according to standard dosages of SABA and ICS, as described previously [16].
Abbreviations: (c)-ACT: (childhood) asthma control test, BMI: body mass index, BMI-SDS: body mass index standard deviation score, ERV: expiratory reserve volume, FeNO: fraction of exhaled nitric oxide, FEV1: forced expiratory volume in 1 second, FVC: forced vital capacity, ICS: inhaled corticosteroids, IQR: inter quartile range, PAQLQ: paediatric asthma quality of life questionnaire, PC20 histamine: histamine concentration that led to a drop of 20% in FEV1, SABA: short-acting beta-2 agonists, SD: standard deviation.