Objective: To investigate the interaction outcome of asthma and obesity on lipid profile, insulin resistance (IR)/sensitivity, and incidence of metabolic syndrome (MS) among study groups.

Methods: This is case-control study performed on 168 children divided into four groups: asthmatic obese (AO), asthmatic non-obese (ANO), obese controls, and non-obese controls. Serum levels of fasting insulin, fasting glucose, total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) were assayed. Calculation of homeostasis model assessment-estimated insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI value) and fasting glucose/insulin ratio (G/I) was done to access insulin resistance and sensitivity.

Results: The AO group showed significantly higher TC levels, TC/HDL, LDL/HDL ratios, higher HOMA-IR, lower G/I ratio and QUICKI values than ANO group (P values = <0.001, 0.003, 0.042, <0.001, <0.001, and <0.001, respectively). Prevalence of MS among AO patients [9 cases (21.4%)] was significantly greater than in ANO group [2 cases (4.8%)], p value <0.001. LDL levels were higher in AO group than in obese controls, but the difference was statistically insignificant. Body mass index (P value = 0.001, OR = 1.17, 95% CI: 1.07-1.28) and dyslipidemia (P value= 0.002, OR = 4.38, 95% CI: 1.74-11.00) were found to be the independent variables that predict the existence of MS.

Conclusion: Although dyslipidemia, IR, and MS were more prevalent among obese groups regardless of presence of asthma, highlighting the necessity for obesity control, LDL levels were highest in AO group as effect of obesity on LDL levels could be enhanced by asthma.