Doctors concerned about asthmatic children and exercise

Medical professionals have expressed concern over the lack of exercise in children with asthma.

A study published in this month’s British Journal of General Practice found that over-protective parents are stopping their asthmatic children from exercising when to do so would be completely safe.

Researchers from the University of Dundee carried out a study in six GP practices, a paediatric respiratory unit and four schools in Tayside, Scotland. They found that GPs often found it difficult to negotiate with parents who think that because their child has asthma, he or she should be excused from sports and other school activities.

Physical activity was seen as some kind of threat to the child’s health by some parents, rather than something that could be beneficial to Medical ID wearers.

The researchers said GPs and asthma nurses needed to provide clear management plans explaining what was appropriate and safe in terms of exercise on a child-by-child basis. This would address the misunderstanding and disagreement among children, parents and teachers on this issue.