Abstract
BackgroundAccumulated researches revealed that both fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and sunlight exposure may be a risk factor for obesity, while researches regarding the potential effect modification by sunlight exposure on the relationship between PM2.5 and obesity are limited. We aim to investigate whether the effect of PM2.5 on obesity is affected by sunlight exposure among the general population in China.MethodsA sample of 47,204 adults in China was included. Obesity and abdominal obesity were assessed based on body mass index, waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio, respectively. The five-year exposure to PM2.5 and sunlight were accessed using the multi-source satellite products and a geochemical transport model. The relationship between PM2.5, sunshine duration, and the obesity or abdominal obesity risk was evaluated using the general additive model.ResultsThe proportion of obesity and abdominal obesity was 12.6% and 26.8%, respectively. Levels of long-term PM2.5 ranged from 13.2 to 72.1 μg/m3 with the mean of 46.6 μg/m3. Each 10 μg/m3 rise in PM2.5 was related to a higher obesity risk [OR 1.12 (95% CI 1.09-1.14)] and abdominal obesity [OR 1.10 (95% CI 1.07-1.13)]. The association between PM2.5 and obesity varied according to sunshine duration, with the highest ORs of 1.56 (95% CI 1.28-1.91) for obesity and 1.66 (95% CI 1.34-2.07) for abdominal obesity in the bottom quartile of sunlight exposure (3.21-5.34 hours/day).ConclusionLong-term PM2.5 effect on obesity risk among the general Chinese population are influenced by sunlight exposure. More attention might be paid to reduce the adverse impacts of exposure to air pollution under short sunshine duration conditions.
Highlights
Obesity represents a severe public health challenge globally
Each questionnaire and on-site examination including anthropometric measurement was finished at community medical centers or hospitals by medical students, Abbreviations: PM2.5, fine particulate matter; Waist circumference (WC), waist circumference; waistto-hip ratio (WHR), waist-to-hip ratio; OR, odds ratio; CI, confidence interval; BMI, body mass index; SRS, satellite remote sensing; NO2, nitrogen dioxide; GAM, general additive model; COX-2, cyclooxygenase-2; myf-5, myogenic factor 5; ROS, reactive oxygen species; NF-kB, nuclear factor kappa B
Estimated PM2.5 levels ranged from 13.20 mg/m3 to 72.13 mg/m3 for five-year exposure, and the overall mean ambient PM2.5 concentration in the study population reached 46.62 mg/m3 (SD of 15.51 mg/m3)
Summary
Obesity represents a severe public health challenge globally. The prevalence of obesity came to a high level recently, exceeding 13% globally, and contributed to a decline in both quality of life and life expectancy [1,2,3]. Recent in vitro and animal experiments have indicated that PM2.5 and limited sunlight exposure have several physiological effects in common, including systematic inflammation, insulin resistance, and stimulation of the differentiation of preadipocytes via reduction of serum vitamin D [8]. These effects are all potentially linked with the pathogenesis of obesity. Accumulated researches revealed that both fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and sunlight exposure may be a risk factor for obesity, while researches regarding the potential effect modification by sunlight exposure on the relationship between PM2.5 and obesity are limited. We aim to investigate whether the effect of PM2.5 on obesity is affected by sunlight exposure among the general population in China
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