D3.146 - Attitudes and Knowledge Levels Regarding Physical Activity in Children with Asthma and Their Parents: A Comparison with Healthy Controls

Asthma is a chronic childhood condition that may limit physical activity. This study aimed to assess  attitudes and knowledge levels regarding physical activity among children followed up with asthma and their parents, and to compare them with healthy controls.

In this prospective cross-sectional study, children with diagnosed asthma followed in the Paediatric Allergy and Immunology Outpatient Clinic of Ankara Training and Research Hospital and age and sex matched healthy controls completed a structured questionnaire. Asthma duration, severity, and level of asthma control over the previous month were recorded.

A total of 293 children (203 with asthma and 90 healthy controls) were included.  The median age was 11 years (IQR: 8.5–14), and 62.1% were male. Among children with asthma, the median disease duration was 27 months (IQR: 12–60), 38.9% had moderate-to-severe asthma and 12.8% had uncontrolled asthma. Compared with controls, children with asthma reported a lower frequency of physical activity (p=0.036) and shorter sports session duration (p=0.017). The proportion of licensed athletes was also lower in the asthma group (13.3% vs 23.3%; p=0.032). However, enjoyment of physical activity (p=0.323) and self-confidence during activity (p=0.405) were similar between groups. No significant association was found between asthma severity or asthma control level and frequency of physical activity (p=0.322 and 0.150, respectively). Parents in the asthma group reported higher anxiety (p<0.001) and more frequent problems during exercise (p<0.001). While parents' views on the importance of physical activity (p=0.103) and the frequency of encouraging their child (p=0.071) were similar, knowledge about the benefits of physical activity was lower in the asthma group (p<0.001). In the asthma group, 41.4% of parents cited ‘fear of becoming ill’ as a limiting factor, and 54.5% reported no medication use before exercise.

Children with asthma participated in physical activity less frequently and for shorter durations than their healthy peers. This reduction appears to be related more to parental anxiety, perceived risk, and lack of knowledge than to ashtma severity or control. Integrating counselling on safe exercise, pre-exercise treatment approaches, and family-centred educational interventions into asthma management may help increase physical activity participation.