Association between body mass index (BMI), respiratory symptoms, and asthma prevalence among the population in Khulna City, Bangladesh: an in-depth cross-sectional investigation

Asthma, a chronic respiratory disease, has been steadily increasing in prevalence and significantly impacts global health. In Bangladesh, it remains a major public health concern. The relationship between asthma and body mass index (BMI) is complex, with higher rates observed among overweight individuals. This study aims to explore the association between BMI, respiratory symptoms, and asthma in Khulna City, Bangladesh, addressing the lack of comprehensive data for this region. This study was a cross-sectional study. For data collection purposes, we considered Khulna Medical College and Hospital (KMC). Data collection involved a well-structured questionnaire during in-person meetings held from September 18 to November 6, 2022. We selected a total of 310 participants through simple random sampling and performed statistical analyses, including chi-square tests and logistic regression, to examine associations. The majority of participants were aged above 60 years (36.5%), with most having a normal BMI (74.8%) and being male (69.0%). We found significant associations between the prevalence of asthma, age, BMI categories, and respiratory symptoms such as wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath. Overweight individuals showed a higher likelihood of developing asthma (AOR 7.01; 95% CI 5.04–7.11), as did those with primary education (AOR 1.51; 95% CI 1.11–2.95) and smokers (AOR 2.80; 95% CI 1.27–6.15). This study identifies a higher asthma prevalence in Khulna City, associated with older age, overweight status, primary education level, and respiratory symptoms such as wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath. Smoking further exacerbates the severity of the condition. We recommend public health strategies such as promoting healthier lifestyles, improving healthcare access, raising awareness about smoking risks, enhancing air quality, and establishing specialised asthma clinics for effective management and improved quality of life.