Abstract
Background: Obesity isaseriousconditionbecause it is associated with other chronic diseaseswhichaffect the quality of life. In addition to diet and exercise, recent research has foundthatpesticide exposure might be another important risk factor. Methods: The objective of this large cross-sectional study was to determine the association between pesticide exposure and obesityamong farmers in Nakhon Sawan andPhitsanulokprovince, Thailand. Data on pesticide use and obesity prevalence from 20,295 farmers aged 20 yearsandolder was collected usingan in-person interviewquestionnaire. The associationwas analysed using multivariable logistic regression, adjusted for its potential confounding factors. Results:Obesity was found to be associated with pesticide use in the past. The risk of obesity was significantly predicted by types of pesticides, including insecticides(OR=2.27, 95% CI 1.09-4.74), herbicides (OR=4.72, 95% CI 1.16-19.29), fungicides (OR=2.17, 95% CI 1.37-3.44), rodenticides (OR=2.52, 95% CI 1.59-3.99),and molluscicides(OR=3.37, 95% CI 2.13-5.31).Among 35 surveyed individual pesticides, 24 were significantly associated with higher obesity prevalence (OR = 1.75, 95% CI 1.00-3.06 to OR = 8.37, 95% CI 3.97-17.64),including herbicide butachlor, 17 insecticides (threecarbamate insecticides,fiveorganochlorine insecticides, andnineorganophosphate insecticides), andsixfungicides. Conclusion:This study found obesity in farmers in Nakhon Sawan andPhitsanulokprovince,Thailand,to be associated withthelong-termuse of several types of pesticides. The issue should receive more public attention, and pesticide use should be strictly controlled.
Highlights
Obesity is a serious condition because it is associated with other chronic diseases which affect the quality of life
Obesity has been linked with various health problems, including cardiovascular disease (CVD), type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), cancer, and other health problems including liver and kidney disease, sleep apnea, and depression, which can eventually lead to mortality.[3]
The risk of obesity was significantly predicted by various types of pesticides, including insecticides (OR = 2.27, 95% CI 1.09-4.74), herbicides (OR = 4.72, 95% CI 1.16-19.29), fungicides (OR = 2.17, 95% CI 1.37-3.44), rodenticides (OR = 2.52, 95% CI 1.59-3.99), and molluscicides (OR = 3.37, 95% CI 2.13-5.31) (Table 3)
Summary
Obesity is a serious condition because it is associated with other chronic diseases which affect the quality of life. Methods: The objective of this large cross-sectional study was to determine the association between pesticide exposure and obesity among farmers in Nakhon Sawan and Phitsanulok province, Thailand. The risk of obesity was significantly predicted by types of pesticides, including insecticides (OR = 2.27, 95% CI 1.09-4.74), herbicides (OR = 4.72, 95% CI 1.16-19.29), fungicides (OR = 2.17, 95% CI 1.37-3.44), rodenticides (OR = 2.52, 95% CI 1.59-3.99), and molluscicides (OR = 3.37, 95% CI 2.13-5.31). Among 35 surveyed individual pesticides, 24 were significantly associated with higher obesity prevalence (OR = 1.75, 95% CI 1.00-3.06 to OR = 8.37, 95% CI 3.97-17.64), including herbicide butachlor, 17 insecticides (three carbamate insecticides, five organochlorine insecticides, and nine organophosphate insecticides), and six fungicides. Conclusion: This study found obesity in farmers in Nakhon Sawan and Phitsanulok province, Thailand, to be associated with the longterm use of several types of pesticides. Many factors can affect obesity, including age, genes, diet, a sedentary lifestyle, certain diseases, and medications, as well as other health conditions including sleeping habits, stress, and depression.[4]
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