Association between occupational noise and obesity: a retrospective cohort study in China

• Published in: International archives of occupational and environmental health Vol. 97; no. 2; pp. 155 - 164
• Main Authors: Li, Geyang, Wu, Weile, Zhou, Li, Chan, Weiling, Wang, Jin, Zhu, Lejia, Song, Lin, Lin, Lan, Wu, Beining, Xiao, Jing, Lian, Yulong
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer Berlin Heidelberg 01.03.2024; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Body mass index; Body size; China - epidemiology; Earth and Environmental Science; Environment; Environmental Health; Hearing Loss, Noise-Induced - epidemiology; Hearing Loss, Noise-Induced - etiology; Hearing protection; Humans; Noise; Noise levels; Noise monitoring; Noise, Occupational - adverse effects; Obesity; Obesity - complications; Obesity - epidemiology; Occupational Exposure - adverse effects; Occupational Medicine/Industrial Medicine; Original Article; Rehabilitation; Retrospective Studies; Risk management; Sound pressure; China; Obesity; CNE; L; Occupational noise; LAeq,8h
• ISSN: 0340-0131; 1432-1246
• DOI: 10.1007/s00420-023-02032-0

Objectives To determine the relationship between occupational noise, and obesity and body mass index (BMI) changes. Methods Baseline data were collected from participants ( n  = 1264) who were followed for 6 years in a retrospective study. The noise exposure level (L Aeq,8h ) was determined by equivalent continuous weighted sound pressure levels using the fixed-point surveillance method for noise monitoring. The cumulative noise exposure (CNE) level was determined using the equal energy formula, which is based on exposure history and level. Results The incidence of obesity at low (RR = 2.364, 95% CI 1.123–4.739]), medium (RR = 3.921, 95% CI 1.946–7.347]), high (RR = 5.242, 95% CI 2.642–9.208]), and severe noise levels (RR = 9.322, 95% CI 5.341–14.428]) was higher risk than the L Aeq , 8h control level. The risk of obesity among participants exposed to low (RR = 2.957, 95% CI 1.441–6.068]) and high cumulative noise levels (RR = 7.226, 95% CI 3.623–14.415]) was greater than the CNE control level. For every 1 dB(A) increase in L Aeq,8h , the BMI increased by 0.063 kg/m 2 (95% CI 0.055–0.071], SE = 0.004). For every 1 dB(A) increase in the CNE, the BMI increased by 0.102 kg/m 2 (95% CI 0.090–0.113], SE = 0.006). Conclusions Occupational noise is related to the incidence of obesity. The occupational noise level and occupational noise cumulative level were shown to be positively correlated with an increase in BMI.