A recent study has uncovered a correlation between increased exposure to aircraft noise and higher body mass index (BMI), serving as an indicator for obesity and a precursor to conditions such as stroke and hypertension. This research underscores the profound impact of environmental factors, including inequalities in exposure, on health outcomes. Studies consistently show that noise from aircraft and helicopters is more bothersome than noise from other forms of transportation, with mounting evidence suggesting significant contributions to adverse health effects.
The study conducted jointly by the Boston University School of Public Health and Oregon State University reveals that individuals exposed to aircraft noise levels exceeding 45 dB were more likely to report higher BMIs, with the association particularly pronounced at 55 dB or higher noise levels. To put this in context, normal conversation at home registers around 50 dB, highlighting the relatively modest threshold at which aircraft noise begins to impact health. BMI, a widely accepted measure of obesity, is not just a matter of aesthetic concern but a crucial marker for various cardiometabolic diseases.
Published in Environment International, the study marks the first national-level investigation into the relationship between aircraft noise exposure and obesity in the United States, expanding on previous studies primarily focused on European populations. Dr. Matthew Bozigar, the lead researcher and assistant professor of epidemiology at OSU, noted the unexpected strength of the correlation, particularly among women across the US. The study draws on Nurses’ Health Studies data, encompassing nearly 75,000 participants residing near 90 major US airports over 15 years.
The findings underscore the multifaceted impact of environmental factors on health outcomes, highlighting obesity as a condition influenced not just by individual lifestyle choices but also by broader environmental exposures. Dr. Bozigar stressed the potential for policy interventions aimed at mitigating these environmental drivers of obesity, offering hope for a healthier future. Examining regional differences in the study, researchers noted stronger associations between aircraft noise and BMI among participants on the West Coast and in arid climates.
Factors such as building design, climate conditions affecting window opening behaviours, and insulation levels were considered potential contributors to these variations. Dr Junenette Peters, the senior author and associate professor of environmental health at BUSPH, emphasised the need for further research into these regional disparities and their implications for public health policies. She highlighted the disproportionate exposure to aircraft noise among Black, Hispanic, and low-income populations, suggesting a need for targeted interventions to address environmental injustices in noise exposure.
The study utilised a day-night noise level estimate (DNL) to quantify aircraft noise exposure, applying a 10 dB adjustment for night-time noise due to lower background noise levels. While acknowledging BMI’s limitations as a metric, the researchers found a robust and independent association between higher aircraft noise exposure and increased BMI. Looking ahead, the importance of further research to delve deeper into understanding the mechanisms through which aircraft noise influences obesity and related health outcomes cannot be overstated.
This includes investigating broader inequities in noise exposure across different demographic groups and geographical regions. Dr. Bozigar stressed the urgency of addressing these environmental injustices in transportation noise exposure alongside other drivers of poor health outcomes. In conclusion, the study contributes valuable evidence to the growing body of literature linking environmental noise, particularly from aircraft, to adverse health effects. By elucidating these connections, researchers hope to inform policies that can mitigate the health impacts of noise pollution and promote healthier environments for all individuals.
More information: Matthew Bozigar et al, Aircraft noise exposure and body mass index among female participants in two Nurses’ Health Study prospective cohorts living around 90 airports in the United States, Environment International. DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2024.108660
Journal information: Environment International Provided by Boston University School of Public Health
