Long-term exposure to transportation noise and obesity: A pooled analysis of eleven Nordic cohorts

Åsa Persson, Andrei Pyko, Lara Stucki, Mikael Ögren, Agneta Åkesson, Anna Oudin, Anne Tjønneland, Annika Rosengren, David Segersson, Debora Rizzuto, Emilie Helte, Eva M Andersson, Gunn Marit Aasvang, Hrafnhildur Gudjonsdottir, Jenny Selander, Jesper H Christensen, Karin Leander, Kristoffer Mattisson, Kristina Eneroth, Lars BarregardLeo Stockfelt, Maria Albin, Mette K Simonsen, Mårten Spanne, Nina Roswall, Pekka Tiittanen, Peter Molnár, Petter L S Ljungman, Satu Männistö, Tarja Yli-Tuomi, Thomas Cole-Hunter, Timo Lanki, Youn-Hee Lim, Zorana J Andersen, Mette Sørensen, Göran Pershagen, Charlotta Eriksson

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Abstract

BACKGROUND: Available evidence suggests a link between exposure to transportation noise and an increased risk of obesity. We aimed to assess exposure-response functions for long-term residential exposure to road traffic, railway and aircraft noise, and markers of obesity.

METHODS: Our cross-sectional study is based on pooled data from 11 Nordic cohorts, including up to 162,639 individuals with either measured (69.2%) or self-reported obesity data. Residential exposure to transportation noise was estimated as a time-weighted average L den 5 years before recruitment. Adjusted linear and logistic regression models were fitted to assess beta coefficients and odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) for body mass index, overweight, and obesity, as well as for waist circumference and central obesity. Furthermore, natural splines were fitted to assess the shape of the exposure-response functions.

RESULTS: For road traffic noise, the OR for obesity was 1.06 (95% CI = 1.03, 1.08) and for central obesity 1.03 (95% CI = 1.01, 1.05) per 10 dB L den. Thresholds were observed at around 50-55 and 55-60 dB L den, respectively, above which there was an approximate 10% risk increase per 10 dB L den increment for both outcomes. However, linear associations only occurred in participants with measured obesity markers and were strongly influenced by the largest cohort. Similar risk estimates as for road traffic noise were found for railway noise, with no clear thresholds. For aircraft noise, results were uncertain due to the low number of exposed participants.

CONCLUSION: Our results support an association between road traffic and railway noise and obesity.

Original languageEnglish
Article numbere319
JournalEnvironmental epidemiology (Philadelphia, Pa.)
Volume8
Issue number4
Number of pages12
ISSN2474-7882
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2024

Bibliographical note

Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. on behalf of The Environmental Epidemiology. All rights reserved.

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