Traffic-Related Air Pollution and Child BMI-A Study of Prenatal Exposure to Nitrogen Oxides and Body Mass Index in Children at the Age of Four Years in Malmö, Sweden.

Kasper Frondelius,Anna Oudin,Ebba Malmqvist

doi:10.3390/ijerph15102294

Abstract

Traffic-related air pollution could be a danger to the health of children. Earlier studies have linked prenatal exposure to an increased risk of a range of diseases and negative health outcomes, including overweight and obesity. Presently, a knowledge gap exists in investigating the risk of overweight and obesity among children exposed to lower levels of air pollution in utero. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between prenatal traffic-related air pollution (nitrogen dioxides (NOx) and traffic density) and childhood overweight and obesity in Malmö, Sweden. A cohort, based on attendance of a four-year check-up examination at Swedish Child Health Care (CHC) centers, and a parent-assessed questionnaire provided data on body-mass index adjusted for four-year-old children (ISO-BMI) as well as socioeconomic and health variables. We estimated exposure by using traffic density and levels of NOx at the maternal geocoded residential level. Analysis of 5815 children was performed using binary logistic regression models. This study showed no associations of increased risk for childhood overweight or obesity through to prenatal exposure to NOx in this low-exposure setting. We further suggest analysis of risks related to exposure levels ranging between the ones presented here and those proposed in previous literature.

Highlights

The increase of childhood overweight and obesity in Europe has plateaued during the last few years [1]
The preschool age has been proposed as a critical period of development in a child’s life, and overweight and obesity during this time often persist into adulthood [4,5]
Comorbidities related to childhood overweight are often similar to adult overweight and obesity, including high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes

Summary

Introduction

The increase of childhood overweight and obesity in Europe has plateaued during the last few years [1]. Childhood and adolescent overweight and obesity are key predictors of the probability of developing overweight and obesity as an adult [6]. Comorbidities related to childhood overweight are often similar to adult overweight and obesity, including high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes. Life factors such as limited breastfeeding, exposure to smoking, and low birth weight alongside parental attitudes on health lifestyles and socio-economic status, increase the risk of child obesity [7,8]. Causal mechanisms behind associations are likely related to both social and biological factors [7,9]

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