Abstract
Background: Obesity isaseriousconditionbecause it is associated with other chronic diseaseswhichaffect the quality of life. In addition to problems associated with diet and exercise, recent research has foundthatpesticide exposure might be another important risk factor.The objective of this study was to determine the association between pesticide exposure and obesityamong farmers in Nakhon Sawan andPhitsanulokprovince, Thailand. Methods: This study was a population-based cross-sectional study. Data on pesticide use and obesity prevalence from 20,295 farmers aged 20 yearsandolder were 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]
In Nakhon Sawan and Phitsanulok province of Thailand, obesity in farmers was associated with the long-term use of several types of pesticides, including insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, rodenticides, and molluscicides
Summary
Obesity is a serious condition because it is associated with other chronic diseases which affect the quality of life. The objective of this study was to determine the association between pesticide exposure and obesity among farmers in Nakhon Sawan and Phitsanulok province, Thailand. 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. Response The main reason why this study is needed was that obesity is an important public health problem and exposure to pesticides might be one of its causes. Comment In the last line of the first paragraph of the background section, the authors have stated lots of factors associated with obesity.
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