The relation between adherence to the Mediterranean diet on quality of life and sleep disorder in children aged between 7-12 with asthma

Asthma is a disease of airway obstruction, the main feature of which affects people of all ages, caused by a reduction in the diameter of the airways. Childhood asthma and allergies have been named the epidemic of the 21st century because of the marked increase in incidence from the mid-20th century in high-income countries. Recent studies have revealed an association between the protective effects of the Mediterranean diet and childhood asthma. The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between adherence to the Mediterranean diet and quality of life and sleep disturbance in children aged 7-12 years with asthma. This study by Prof. Dr. 77 children who applied to Cemil Taşcıoğlu City Hospital with the diagnosis of asthma were included. A personal information form and the Mediterranean Diet Quality Index (KIDMED), Sleep Disturbance scale for Children (SDSC), and The Pediatric Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (PAQLQ) were administered to the participants. In addition, 3-day food consumption records and anthropometric measurements of the individuals were taken. The majority of children included in the study were male. Adherence to the Mediterranean diet is moderate in both sexes, about 50%. The mean total quality of life score of children was 144.81±15.08 for boys and 146.8±11.09 for girls. It was determined that the highest mean score among the sub-dimensions of the Asthmatic Child Quality of Life Scale was in the "Symptoms" subgroup. A weak negative statistically significant correlation was found between KIDMED total score and sleep disorder symptoms (p<0.05). Sleep respiratory disorders were found to be negatively correlated with children's quality of life (r = -0.395; r = -0.255; r = -0.434, respectively). A weak negative statistically significant relationship was found between the total score of the SDSC and the total score of the PAQLQ and the sub-dimensions of Activity, Symptoms, and Emotional Function (r = -0.240; r = -0.296; r = -0.344; r = -0.356, respectively). No relationship was found between children's adherence to the Mediterranean diet and their quality of life. As a result of this study, it was determined that adherence to the Mediterranean diet was associated with the symptoms of sleep disorders, but not directly with the quality of life of children with asthma.