title: Household Air Pollution Exposure and Influence of Lifestyle on Respiratory Health and Lung Function in Belizean Adults and Children: A Field Study.
abstract: Household air pollution (HAP) contributes to the global burden of disease. Our primary purpose was to determine whether HAP exposure was associated with reduced lung function and respiratory and non-respiratory symptoms in Belizean adults and children. Our secondary purpose was to investigate whether lifestyle (physical activity (PA) and fruit and vegetable consumption (FV)) is associated with reported symptoms. Belizean adults (n = 67, 19 Male) and children (n = 23, 6 Male) from San Ignacio Belize and surrounding areas participated in this cross-sectional study. Data collection took place at free walk-in clinics. Investigators performed initial screenings and administered questionnaires on (1) sources of HAP exposure; (2) reported respiratory and non-respiratory symptoms and (3) validated lifestyle questionnaires. Participants then performed pulmonary function tests (PFTs) and exhaled breath carbon monoxide (CO). There were no significant associations between HAP exposure and pulmonary function in adults. Increased exhaled CO was associated with a significantly lower forced expiratory volume in 1-s divided by forced vital capacity (FEV₁/FVC) in children. Exposed adults experienced headaches, burning eyes, wheezing and phlegm production more frequently than unexposed adults. Adults who met PA guidelines were less likely to experience tightness and pressure in the chest compared to those not meeting guidelines. In conclusion, adults exposed to HAP experienced greater respiratory and non-respiratory symptoms, which may be attenuated by lifestyle modifications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Kinesiology, Kansas State University, 1A Natatorium, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA. stephkurti@ksu.edu.
authors.forename: Stephanie P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Kurti
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05401, USA. akurti@uvm.edu.
authors.forename: Allison N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Kurti
authors.affiliation: Department of Food, Nutrition, Dietetics and Health, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA. same@ksu.edu.
authors.forename: Sam R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Emerson
authors.affiliation: Department of Food, Nutrition, Dietetics and Health, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA. ricardo@ksu.edu.
authors.forename: Richard R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Rosenkranz
authors.affiliation: Department of Kinesiology, Kansas State University, 1A Natatorium, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA. smith424@ksu.edu.
authors.forename: Joshua R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.affiliation: Department of Kinesiology, Kansas State University, 1A Natatorium, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA. caharms@ksu.edu.
authors.forename: Craig A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Harms
authors.affiliation: Department of Food, Nutrition, Dietetics and Health, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA. sararose@ksu.edu.
authors.forename: Sara K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Rosenkranz
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001531:Belize / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004032:Diet; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology*
chemical_list: D000393:Air Pollutants
keywords: Belize; field study; household air; indoor air pollution; lifestyle; physical activity; pulmonary function; respiratory physiology