Asthma risk.

WOMEN with a waist bigger than 88cm are at higher risk of developing asthma even if they are a normal bodyweight, researchers said. Experts found abdominal fat plays a role in developing the condition.

They also confirmed the link between obesity and developing asthma in adulthood. The research, led by a team from the Northern California Cancer Centre in Berkeley, analysed data from the California Teachers' Study, which began in 1995.

A total of 88,304 female teachers and school administrators took part in the asthma research. The study found being overweight or obese increased the odds of developing adult-onset asthma.

Those who were overweight were 40% more likely to develop asthma than women of a normal weight of a BMI between 18 and 25.

Even those who were normal weight but had a waist circumference higher than 88cm had a modest increase in their risk.

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