Poor teen diet can lower lung function.

• Position: Asthma

Teenagers who forego a healthy and balanced diet may have a harder time catching their breath, contends a study by the American College of Chest Physicians, Northbrook, Ill. It maintains that a low dietary intake of certain nutrients increases the likelihood of respiratory symptoms, especially in teens who smoke. Furthermore, a lack of these nutrients may lead to lower lung function and a greater risk of chronic bronchitic symptoms, wheeze, and asthma.

"Our study, as well as other research, suggests that higher intakes of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory micronutrients are associated with lower reports of cough, respiratory infections, and less severe asthma-related symptoms," asserts lead study author Jane Burns of the Harvard School of Public Health, Boston. "Teenagers who have low dietary intakes of fruit, vitamin E, and omega-3 fatty acids are at greater risk of having asthma, emphasizing the importance of a balanced diet, composed of whole foods."

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Burns explains that the researchers focused on teens because it is the ideal age at which to test lung capacity and eating habits. "During late adolescence, physical stature has, on average, been attained and lung growth closely parallels this growth. Therefore, we are observing a time when lung function was close to its optimal capacity," she notes. "Also, although our diet survey targeted eating habits only during the past year, it did give us some...