The Association Between Exposure to Ambient Particulate Matter and Childhood Obesity: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Abstract

Context: Physical environment contamination and in particular, air pollution might cause long-term adverse effects in child growth and a higher risk of catching non-communicable diseases later in life. Objective: This study aimed to overview the human studies on the association of exposure to ambient Particulate Matter (PM) with childhood obesity. Data Sources: We systematically searched human studies published until March 2018 in PubMed, Scopus, Ovid, ISI Web of Science, Cochrane library, and Google Scholar databases. Study Selection: All studies that explored the association between PM exposure and childhood obesity were assessed in the present study, and finally, 5 studies were used in the meta-analysis. Data Extraction: Two independent researchers performed the data extraction procedure and quality assessment of the studies. The papers were qualitatively assessed by STROBE (Strengthening the Reporting of Observational studies in Epidemiology) statement checklist. Results: The pooled analysis of PM exposure was significantly associated with increased Body Mass Index (BMI) (Fisher's z-distribution=0. 028; 95% CI=0. 017, 0. 038) using the fixed effects model. We also used a random-effect model because we found a significant high heterogeneity of the included studies concerning the PM (I 2 =94. 4%; P<0. 001). PM exposure was associated with increased BMI (Fisher's z-distribution=0. 022; 95% CI=-0. 057, 0. 102). However, the overall effect size was not significant, and heterogeneity of the included studies was similar to the fixed effect model. Discussion: Our findings on the significant association between PM10 exposure and the increased BMI (r=0. 034; 95%CI=0. 007, 0. 061) without heterogeneity (I 2 =16. 6%, P=0. 274) (in the studies with PM10) suggest that the PM type might account for the heterogeneity among the studies. Conclusion: The findings indicate that exposure to ambient PM10 might have significant effects on childhood obesity.

The association between air pollution and obesity: an umbrella review of meta-analyses and systematic reviews

“…Among the seven included studies, three reported on the impact of air pollutants on obesity among children and adolescents [ 23 , 35 , 36 ]. One study focused on the relationship between air pollutants and obesity among adults [ 21 ].…”

“…In addition, according to the classification of epidemiological credibility, only two meta-analyses could be considered as the “recommended” epidemiological credibility of the association between air pollution and obesity [ 22 , 35 ]. Another three meta-analyses were classified as having ‘weak evidence’ [ 21 , 23 , 36 ].…”

“…Among the five included meta-analyses, three studies concentrated on the association between air pollutants and obesity among children and adolescents [ 23 , 35 , 36 ]. The studied air pollution included PM 1 , PM 2.5 , PM 10 , nitrogen oxide, and ozone.…”

“…Air pollutant PM 2.5 This umbrella review included three meta-analyses concentrated on air pollutant PM 2.5 [ 23 , 35 , 36 ]. Total evidence indicated a positive correlation between PM 2.5 and obesity.…”

Effect of Seasonal Variation on the Relationship of Indoor Air Particulate Matter with Measures of Obesity and Blood Pressure in Children

“… 51 A systemic review and meta-analysis study has also shown exposure to ambient PM to be positively associated with childhood obesity. 52 Another study showed that high levels of PM 2.5 were shown to have a minor effect on obesity and contributed to an increase in the prevalence of type 2 diabetes in the United States of America. 43 Although studies have shown an association between PM and obesity, the causation remains unclear.…”