Long-Term Aircraft Noise Exposure and Body Mass Index, Waist Circumference, and Type 2 Diabetes: A Prospective Study
Charlotta Eriksson et al.
Environ Health Perspect Advance Publication: 5 May 2014
Abstract
Background: Long-term aircraft noise exposure may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, but no study has investigated chronic effects on the metabolic system.
Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate effects of long-term aircraft noise exposure on body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, and Type 2 diabetes. Furthermore, we explored the modifying effects of sleep disturbance.
Methods: This prospective cohort study of residents of Stockholm County, Sweden, followed 5,156 participants with normal baseline oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT) for up to ten years. Exposure to aircraft noise was estimated based on residential history. Information on outcomes and confounders was obtained from baseline and follow-up surveys and examinations, and participants who developed prediabetes or Type 2 diabetes were identified by self-reported physician diagnosis or OGTT at follow-up. Adjusted associations were assessed by linear, logistic and random effects models.
Results: The mean increases in BMI and waist circumference during follow-up were 1.09 kg/m2 ± 1.97 and 4.39 cm ± 6.39, respectively. The cumulative incidence of pre-diabetes and Type 2 diabetes was 8% and 3%, respectively. Based on an ordinal noise variable, a 5-dB(A) increase in aircraft noise was associated with a greater increase in waist circumference of 1.51 cm; 95% CI: 1.13, 1.89; fully adjusted. This association appeared particularly strong among those who did not change their home address during the study period, which may be a result of lower exposure misclassification. However, no clear associations were found for BMI or Type 2 diabetes. Furthermore, sleep disturbances did not appear to modify the associations with aircraft noise.
Conclusions: Long-term aircraft noise exposure may be linked to metabolic outcomes, in particular increased waist circumference.
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