Association between air pollution, altitudes, and overweight/obesity in China

Air pollution and altitudes are important obesogenic environmental risks. No studies have examined the influence of the co-exposure of these two risks and Body Mass Index (BMI). We discuss the concentration-response (C-R) relationships and potential mechanisms between nine air pollution, altitudes, and BMI.

Data from 38,617 individuals aged 18-90 years in the China Family Panel Survey were used. Nine air exposure variables-Particulate Matter 2.5 (PM_2.5), Sulfur dioxide (SO₂), Carbon monoxide (CO), Nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), Ozone (O₃), Black Carbon (BC), Methane (CH₄), Ammonia (NH₃), and Non-Methane Volatile Organic Compounds (NMVOCs)-and altitude grid data were generated through the combination of satellite remote sensing inversion data and nationally representative surveys. Bayesian kernel machine regression and the moderated chain-mediation model were employed to examine the C-R relationships and potential mechanisms.

Four air pollution-PM_2.5, BC, NMVOCs, and CH₄-were positively associated with OW/OB. A "negative-positive-negative correlation" pattern across low altitudes (τ30 to τ55, 73.77-403.87 m), medium altitudes (τ55 to τ75, 403.88-944.73 m), and high altitudes (τ75 to τ99, 944.74-2,610.72 m) was revealed for the correlation between altitudes and BMI. Altitudes negatively moderated the relationship between air pollution and BMI. A chain mediator, consisting of physical activity and sleep quality sequentially, partially mediated the association between air pollution and BMI.

Co-exposure of air pollution and altitude had a complex influence on individual BMI. Maintaining a healthy environment is important for the joint prevention and control of obesity.