BACKGROUND: Dietary habits and food allergies are closely associated with asthma. However, few studies have comprehensively compared the detailed dietary habits and food allergy profiles of healthy individuals and adults with asthma. We compared body composition and dietary habits between healthy individuals and patients with asthma and assessed the frequency and characteristics of food allergies in these groups. METHODS: We conducted an Internet-based dietary survey of 588 participants (with and without asthma) from 2020 to 2021. We collected demographic and clinical data and information on food allergies. Meal photographs were analyzed by multiple registered dietitians to quantify dietary intake. RESULTS: . Compared with healthy participants, patients with asthma skipped breakfast more frequently, consumed significantly fewer 3-day food items, and had a significantly lower intake of soy products. Although lower soy product intake was associated with asthma in unadjusted analyses, this association was attenuated after adjustment for BMI. The prevalence of food allergies and pollen-food allergy syndrome was significantly higher among patients with asthma. CONCLUSIONS: This study elucidated the distinct dietary characteristics of patients with asthma. Although causal relationships cannot be determined from this cross-sectional study design, these findings suggest associations between dietary patterns, food allergies, and asthma status.
Watase et al. (Mon,) studied this question.