Variable Case (n=23) Control (n=23) p

Age, years 13,48 ± 0,60 13,45 ± 0,48 0,825¥

Sex
Male, n (%) 11 (47,8) 10 (43,5) 0,767‡
Female, n (%) 12 (52,2) 13 (56,5)
Body weight, mean±SD, kg 69,90 ± 10,60 76,13 ± 18,82 0,184£
Height, mean±SD , cm 156,93 ± 7,05 154,29 ± 7,35 0,461£
BMI, mean±SD , kg/m2 28,37 ± 3,74 31,71 ± 5,72 0,018*
Formal education of mother
Higher, n (%) 16 (69,6) 16 (69,6) 1,000‡
Lower, n (%) 7 (30,4) 7 (30,4)
Physical activity
Never/rare, n (%) 8 (34,8) 11 (47,8) 0,369‡
Once/more per week, n (%) 15 (65,2) 12 (52,2)
Time spent watching tv
≥ 3 hours, n (%) 9 (39,1) 3 (13) 0,044*‡
< 3 hours, n (%) 14 (60,9) 20 (87)
Atopy :
Asthma, n (%) 7 (30.4) - -
Rhinitis, n (%) 9 (39.3) - -
Dermatitis, n (%) 7 (30.4) - -
Zinc serum, mean±SD , pg/dl 70.53 ±4.89 96.32±13.01 0,000*£
Total IgE serum, mean±SD , IU/l 129.12±120.73 67.01±68.97 0,150£
* p < 0,05, statistically significant ; ¥ Independent t-test; £ Mann Whitney; ‡ Pearson Chi Square

Table 3. Correlation between serum zinc deficiency and atopy in obese

Variable Atopy p OR (CI 95% )

Case (n,%) Control (n, %)
Zinc
Deficiency 13 (56.5) 2 (8.7) 0,001*‡ 13,6 (2,57-72,39)
No deficiency 10 (43.5) 21 (91.3)
* p < 0,05, statistically significant ; ‡ Pearson Chi Square
 Table 4. Correlation between confounding variable and atopy in obese

Variable Atopy p OR (CI 95%)

Case (n, %) Control (n, %)
Exposure to traffic-related air
pollution
Frequent 4 (17,4) 2 (8,7) 0,665§ 1,40 (0,73 – 2,70)
Rare 19 (82,6) 21 (91,3)
The presence of dog or cat
Yes 7 (30.4) 1 (4,3) 0,047*‡ 9,63 (1,08 – 86,18)
No 16 (69.6) 22 (95,7)
Cigarette smoke
Yes 11 (47,8) 10 (43,5) 0,767‡ 1,09 (0,60 – 1,94)
No 12 (52,2) 13 (56,5)
Food allergy
Yes 4 (17.4) 2 (8.7) 0.665 § 1,40 (0.73-2,70)
No 19 (82.6) 21 (91.3)
* p < 0,05 statistically significant; ‡ Pearson Chi Square; § Fisher’s Exact Test