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

BackgroundAir 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, a...

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Main Authors: Yugen Wang, Muchun Yu, Yanyan Liu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-07-01
Series:Frontiers in Public Health
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1589201/full
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author Yugen Wang
Muchun Yu
Yanyan Liu
author_facet Yugen Wang
Muchun Yu
Yanyan Liu
author_sort Yugen Wang
collection DOAJ
description BackgroundAir 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.MethodsData from 38,617 individuals aged 18–90 years in the China Family Panel Survey were used. Nine air exposure variables–Particulate Matter 2.5 (PM2.5), 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.ResultsFour air pollution–PM2.5, 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.ConclusionsCo-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.
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spelling doaj-art-2de9eee22a894b0b8d5f16231ff1a93c2025-07-10T05:30:09ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Public Health2296-25652025-07-011310.3389/fpubh.2025.15892011589201Association between air pollution, altitudes, and overweight/obesity in ChinaYugen WangMuchun YuYanyan LiuBackgroundAir 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.MethodsData from 38,617 individuals aged 18–90 years in the China Family Panel Survey were used. Nine air exposure variables–Particulate Matter 2.5 (PM2.5), 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.ResultsFour air pollution–PM2.5, 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.ConclusionsCo-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.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1589201/fullobesityair pollutionaltitudesconcentration-response relationshipsChina study
spellingShingle Yugen Wang
Muchun Yu
Yanyan Liu
Association between air pollution, altitudes, and overweight/obesity in China
Frontiers in Public Health
obesity
air pollution
altitudes
concentration-response relationships
China study
title Association between air pollution, altitudes, and overweight/obesity in China
title_full Association between air pollution, altitudes, and overweight/obesity in China
title_fullStr Association between air pollution, altitudes, and overweight/obesity in China
title_full_unstemmed Association between air pollution, altitudes, and overweight/obesity in China
title_short Association between air pollution, altitudes, and overweight/obesity in China
title_sort association between air pollution altitudes and overweight obesity in china
topic obesity
air pollution
altitudes
concentration-response relationships
China study
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1589201/full
work_keys_str_mv AT yugenwang associationbetweenairpollutionaltitudesandoverweightobesityinchina
AT muchunyu associationbetweenairpollutionaltitudesandoverweightobesityinchina
AT yanyanliu associationbetweenairpollutionaltitudesandoverweightobesityinchina