London: Researchers at the Dutch National Institute of Public Health and Environment have found that young children who regularly eat products containing milk fat are less likely to develop asthma.

The finding provides strong evidence that while asthma may, in part, be a genetic condition, it is certainly influenced by lifestyle factors too, according to a report in BBC.

The team analysed the diet of nearly 3,000 two-year-olds. They found that by the age of three, those who had eaten full cream milk and butter on a daily basis were less likely to have developed symptoms of asthma.

Daily consumption of brown bread was also associated with lower rates of asthma. It is now clear that there must be something in our modern Western lifestyle that increases the risk to develop asthma, the report said.

The researchers, led by Dr Alet Wijga, said various components of milk fat – such as specific types of fatty acids, or other micronutrients – may help to protect against asthma.

Several experts have suggested that the increase in rates of asthma – and related conditions such as eczema – may be in some way related to a reduction in consumption of saturated fat, which is found in high concentration in milk, the report added.

And previous research has found a diet high in polyunsaturated fats – found in many margarines and vegetable oils – may double a child's chances of having asthma.

ANI