Association between pesticide exposure and obesity: A cross-sectional study of 20,295 farmers in Thailand.

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=2.10, 95% CI 1.00-4.38), herbicides (OR=4.56, 95% CI 1.11-18.62), fungicides (OR=2.12, 95% CI 1.34-3.36), rodenticides (OR=2.55, 95% CI 1.61-4.05),and molluscicides(OR=3.40, 95% CI 2.15-5.40).Among 35 surveyed individual pesticides, 22 were significantly associated with higher obesity prevalence (OR = 1.78, 95% CI 1.10-2.88 to OR = 8.30, 95% CI 2.54-27.19),including herbicide butachlor, 15 insecticides (two carbamate insecticides,fiveorganochlorine insecticides, and eight organophosphate 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.