Exposure to traffic noise and gestational weight gain and postpartum weight retention: a cohort study

Abstract

ObjectivesTransportation noise has been associated with markers of obesity. We aimed to investigate whether road traffic and railway noise were associated with weight gain during and after pregnancy.MethodsAmong the women participating in the Danish National Birth Cohort, 74 065 reported on weight before and during the pregnancy (gestational week 30) and 52 661 reported on weight before and 18 months after pregnancy. Residential address history from conception to 18 months after pregnancy was obtained in national registers, and road traffic and railway noise were modelled for all addresses. Associations between noise and gestational weight gain (GWG) and postpartum weight retention (PPWR) were analysed using the linear and log-binomial regression.ResultsA 10 dB(A) higher road traffic noise was associated with an increase in GWG of 3.8 g/week (95% CI 2.3 to 5.3) and PPWR of 0.09 kg (95% CI 0.02 to 0.16). For PPWR, this association seemed confined to women who were overweight (0.17 kg, 95% CI 0.02 to 0.32) or obese (0.49 kg, 95% CI 0.26 to 0.73) before pregnancy. Further adjustment by nitrogen dioxide reduced GWG risk estimates and slightly increased PPWR risk estimates. Railway noise ≥65 dB(A) was associated with an increase in GWG of 4.5 g/week (95% CI −2.7 to 11.6) and PPWR of 0.26 kg (95% CI −0.09 to 0.60) compared with levels <55 dB(A).ConclusionsOur findings suggest that road traffic noise is associated with weight gain during and after the pregnancy, which adds to the literature linking transportation noise to adiposity.

Transportation Noise Pollution and Cardiovascular Health

“…66,67 While evidence is still emerging, the currently available research suggests an association between exposure to road traffic noise and an increased risk of adiposity. Interestingly, this was shown in both child cohorts, 69,70 a pregnancy cohort, 68 and adult and elderly populations, [65][66][67] suggesting that exposure to road traffic noise may affect the risk of adiposity throughout life. It is, thus, likely that adiposity is on the mechanistic pathway between noise and cardiometabolic disease, and epidemiological studies should, therefore, avoid adjustment for body mass index, as this could result in overadjustment and underestimation of actual effects.…”

“…Few prospective cohort studies have investigated the effects of exposure to transportation noise on the risk of developing adiposity. 65–70 The measures of adiposity varied across the studies, with 4 studies investigating effects on weight gain/body mass index, 65,66,68–70 2 studies on waist circumference changes, 65,66 and 2 studies on the risk of obesity/overweight. 66,67 While evidence is still emerging, the currently available research suggests an association between exposure to road traffic noise and an increased risk of adiposity.…”

Health position paper and redox perspectives - Disease burden by transportation noise

“…In support of noise as a risk factor for type 2 diabetes, four longitudinal cohort studies have indicated that transportation noise increases the risk of developing overweight [ [118] , [119] , [120] , [121] ], which is a major risk factor for diabetes. Although the indicators of obesity investigated displayed some variation across the studies (body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, and weight gain), associations were generally observed between road traffic noise and markers of obesity.…”

Association of transportation noise with cardiovascular diseases

“…The evidence linking road traffic noise to obesity has significantly expanded since the previous evaluation by the WHO. At that time, only three cross‐sectional studies were available, leading to a conclusion of “very low‐quality evidence.” 28 , 29 , 30 Since then, there has been notable progress in research in this area. 30 Three longitudinal studies investigating the relationship between road traffic noise and measures of obesity in adults have been published.…”

“…[28][29][30] Since then, there has been notable progress in research in this area. 30 Three longitudinal studies investigating the relationship between road traffic noise and measures of obesity in adults have been published. These studies have explored various.…”