Associations between ambient air pollution, obesity, and serum vitamin D status in the general population of Korean adults

Abstract

Background Although a growing body of evidence suggests air pollution is associated with low serum vitamin D status, few studies have reported whether obesity status affects this relationship. The aim of this study was to identify associations between ambient air pollution exposure, obesity, and serum vitamin D status in the general population of South Korea. Methods This study was conducted in a cross-sectional design. A total of 30,242 Korean adults from a nationwide general population survey were included for our final analysis. Air pollutants included particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter ≤ 10 μm (PM10), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and carbon monoxide (CO). We measured serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration to assess vitamin D status for each participant. Multiple linear and logistic regression analyses were performed to identify associations between ambient air pollution and vitamin D status in each subgroup according to body mass index level. Results The annual average concentrations of PM10, NO2, and CO were significantly associated with a lower serum vitamin D concentration and higher risk of vitamin D deficiency. The results show a significant association between serum vitamin D status and PM10 exposure in obese subgroup. Based on the gender, females with obesity showed more strong association (negative) between different air pollutants and low serum vitamin D concentration and a higher risk of vitamin D deficiency. However, this pattern was not observed in men. Conclusions This study provides the first evidence that women with obesity may be more vulnerable to vitamin D deficiency in the context of persistent exposure to air pollution.

The correlation of obesity status with serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D in US Asian adults: NHANES 2011–2018

“…Notably, we discovered that the link between obesity and 25OHD varied across men and women after controlling for confounders, which leads us to believe that sex hormones may have played a role. In studies in Korea and Serbia, obese women were found to be more likely to suffer from vitamin D deficiency [ 29 , 30 ]. However, two studies from India and Norway showed that obese men had a considerably higher frequency of vitamin D deficiency than thin men [ 31 , 32 ].…”

The Correlation of Obesity Status with Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D in US Asian Adults：NHANES 2011-2018

“…Notably, we discovered that the link between obesity and 25OHD varied across men and women after controlling for confounders, which leads us to believe that sex hormones may have played a role. In studies in Korea and Serbia, obese women were found to be more likely to suffer from vitamin D de ciency [23,24]. However, two studies from India and Norway showed that obese men had a considerably higher frequency of vitamin D de ciency than thin men [25,26].…”

Impact of air pollution on postoperative outcomes following organ transplantation: Evidence from clinical investigations

“…78 Obesity is at risk of VDD because of higher body mass index and vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin leading to the dilution and causing low plasma levels of 25(OH)D. 66,78 Recent studies had shown that long term exposure to ambient PM, NO 2 , and CO was associated with decreased 25(OH)D. [80][81][82] According to recent evidence, females had a higher chance to develop VDD more than males. 80,[82][83][84][85] Then living in an area of high air pollution results in a decrease in the skin's ability to produce vitamin D leading to VDD. 74,78 Active form of vitamin D has abilities to inhibit cellular proliferation, induce terminal differentiation, inhibit angiogenesis, stimulate insulin production, inhibit renin production, and apoptosis.…”

“…Recent studies had shown that long term exposure to ambient PM, NO 2 , and CO was associated with decreased 25(OH)D 80–82 . According to recent evidence, females had a higher chance to develop VDD more than males 80,82–85 . Then living in an area of high air pollution results in a decrease in the skin's ability to produce vitamin D leading to VDD 74,78 …”