Mediterranean Diet for Mom Fends Off Asthma, Allergies in Kids

"Mediterranean Diet for Mom Fends Off Asthma, Allergies in Kids",
Washington Post, January 18, 2008,
Link: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...011801855.html

Pregnant women who eat a Mediterranean diet rich in fish, fresh fruits
and vegetables, legumes, nuts, dairy products and olive oil may help
protect their children against asthma and allergies, new research
suggests.

The study, published online this week inThorax, included 468 mother
and child pairs that were followed from pregnancy up to 6.5 years
after birth. The researchers collected information on eating habits
and on the children's asthma and allergy symptoms.

About 36 percent of the mothers ate a low-quality Mediterranean diet
during pregnancy, while the rest ate a high-quality Mediterranean
diet. A little more than 13 percent of all the children had persistent
wheezing, 17 percent had positive responses to skin test allergens,
and almost 6 percent had asthma-like symptoms plus positive skin test
results.

The study found that mothers who ate a high-quality Mediterranean diet
during pregnancy were significantly more likely to have children free
of asthmatic symptoms and allergies than women who ate a low-quality
Mediterranean diet.

Pregnant women who ate vegetables more than eight times a week, fish
more than three times a week, and legumes more than once a week seemed
to protect their children the most from asthma and allergies. Mothers
who ate red meat more than three to four times a week seemed to
increase their children's risk.

Children's eating habits at the age of 6.5 years seemed to have little
effect on their asthma or allergy risk, the study found.

More information

The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology has more about
prevention of allergies and asthma in children.

SOURCE: BMJ Specialist Journals, news release, Jan. 15, 2008