One of the more common asthma myths is that someone with asthma cannot or should not exercise or participate in sports. Nothing could be further from the truth. Exercise is or should be a part of daily life. Children, teenagers, and adults with asthma should be able to enjoy any aspect of life they choose, including hiking, biking, basket ball, ballet, soccer, gymnastics, and other physical activities.
Some researchers have noted a relationship between asthma and a tendency to be overweight or obese, but the connection is not clear. It may be that children with asthma are not as physically active, either because their asthma is not under good control or because their parents limit their activity. It may be possible, however, that obesity is a risk factor for developing asthma. In either case, overweight or obese children and adolescents with asthma seem to have more problems not only with their asthma but also with other diseases.