Impact of Road Traffic Noise on Obesity and Body Composition

Abstract

Background/objectives Traffic noise has been related to adverse health effects such as cardiovascular and metabolic disorders. Potential modes of action are through a biological stress response and disturbance of sleep causing dysregulation of cortisol and appetite regulating hormones associated with overweight. In this study we aim to assess the effect of residential road traffic noise on body composition. Subjects/methods We used a population-based cohort of 57,053 middle aged people. Anthropometric measures including height, weight and bioelectrical impedance was collected at baseline in 1993-1997. The impedance measurements are used in sex-specific equations to calculate body fat mass, which was used to calculate body fat mass index (BFMI) and lean body mass index (LBMI). Traffic noise exposure was calculated using the Nordic prediction method based on complete residential address history for five years preceding enrolment. Associations between noise and anthropometric measures were analyzed using general linear models adjusted for age, sex, socioeconomic status, lifestyle factors, competing noise sources and air pollution. Results We found positive associations between road traffic noise and all measures of obesity and body composition. Waist circumference increased by 0.36 cm per 10 dB (95% CI:0.22;0.51), BMI increased by 0.17 points per 10 dB (95% CI:0.11;0.23), BFMI increased by 0.097 points per 10 dB (95% CI:0.057;0.14) and LBMI increased by 0.085 points per 10 dB (95% CI:0.066;0.10). Conclusions The present study shows positive associations between residential exposure to road traffic noise and overweight in a middle aged population. The biological hypothesis is plausible; we see a dose-response effect and increased estimates for longer exposure and similar results for other sources of noise. However, the results must be confirmed by other studies before any conclusions can be drawn.