Certain studies suggest that air pollution could be a risk factor for obesity, but the evidence on the association between air pollution exposure and obesity in adults is limited. This study aims to examine the association between long-term exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and obesity-related traits in Chinese adults. Thus, a cross-sectional study was conducted based on a nationally representative sample of 91, 121 adults from 31 provinces in China. Integrated the data from satellites, chemical transport model, and ground observations, annual average concentrations of PM2.5 was obtained at the township level using a machine learning method. The information on body weight, height, and waist circumference (WC) were obtained from a questionnaire survey. The general obesity and abdominal obesity status were classified based on body mass index (BMI) and WC, respectively. Logistic and multivariate linear regression models were used to examine the association between PM2.5 and obesity-related traits, along with the examination of potential effect modifications. After adjustment for covariates, a 10 μg/m3 increase in PM2.5 concentration was associated with 8.0% [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.0%, 10.0%] and 10% (95% CI: 9.0%, 11.0%) increases in odds for general obesity and abdominal obesity, respectively. The odds ratios associated with per 10 μg/m3 PM2.5 increase were significantly greater in individuals of older age (≥60 years), of Han ethnicity, with lower socioeconomic status (SES), cooking without using a ventilation device, using unclean household fuels, having near-home pollution sources, and doing no physical exercise. These findings suggest that long-term exposure to ambient PM2.5 increase obesity risk in Chinese adults. It has significant significance to reduce air pollution to reducing the burden of obesity, particularly for the susceptible populations.
Keywords: Adults; China; Cross-sectional study; Obesity; PM(2.5).
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