title: Exposure to traffic noise and markers of obesity.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Limited evidence suggests adverse effects of traffic noise exposure on the metabolic system. This study investigates the association between road traffic noise and obesity markers as well as the role of combined exposure to multiple sources of traffic noise.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a cross-sectional study performed in 2002-2006, we assessed exposure to noise from road traffic, railways and aircraft at the residences of 5075 Swedish men and women, primarily from suburban and semirural areas of Stockholm County. A detailed questionnaire and medical examination provided information on markers of obesity and potential confounders. Multiple linear and logistic regression models were used to assess associations between traffic noise and body mass index (BMI), waist circumference and waist-hip ratio using WHO definitions of obesity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Road traffic noise was significantly related to waist circumference with a 0.21 cm (95% CI 0.01 to 0.41) increase per 5 dB(A) rise in L(den). The OR for central obesity among those exposed to road traffic noise ≥ 45 dB(A) was 1.18 (95% CI 1.03 to 1.34) in comparison to those exposed below this level. Similar results were seen for waist-hip ratio (OR 1.29; 95% CI 1.14 to 1.45) but not for BMI (OR 0.89; 95% CI 0.76 to 1.04). Central obesity was also associated with exposure to railway and aircraft noise, and a particularly high risk was seen for combined exposure to all three sources of traffic noise (OR 1.95; 95% CI 1.24 to 3.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results suggest that traffic noise exposure can increase the risk of central obesity. Combined exposure to different sources of traffic noise may convey a particularly high risk.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: Andrei
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-5170-9728
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pyko
authors.affiliation: Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden Centre for Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Stockholm County Council, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: Charlotta
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Eriksson
authors.affiliation: Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: Bente
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Oftedal
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: Agneta
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hilding
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: Claes-Göran
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Östenson
authors.affiliation: Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: Norun Hjertager
authors.initials: NH
authors.lastname: Krog
authors.affiliation: Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: Bettina
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Julin
authors.affiliation: Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: Gunn Marit
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Aasvang
authors.affiliation: Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden Centre for Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Stockholm County Council, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: Göran
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pershagen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000401:Aircraft; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018986:Motor Vehicles; D009624:Noise, Transportation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D056128:Obesity, Abdominal / Q000209:etiology*; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011890:Railroads; D014186:Transportation; D055105:Waist Circumference; D049629:Waist-Hip Ratio