Long-term self-reported exposure to occupational noise is associated with BMI-defined obesity in the US general population

BackgroundEvidence is emerging about the risk of obesity associated with traffic noise. The present study aimed to explore the association between self-reported occupational noise exposure and body mass index (BMI)-defined obesity in the US general population. MethodsThis study is based on the 2014 National Health Interview Survey. Information regarding self-reported occupational lifetime noise exposure was linked to self-reported BMI, adjusting for other covariates. ResultsThe multivariate models yielded OR=1.46 (95% CI: 1.27, 1.68) for obesity, and 0.97kg/m(2) (95% CI: 0.57, 1.36) higher BMI among participants exposed to high level of noise for 15 years, in comparison to never exposed participants. Moderation analysis revealed that among those less than 55 years of age noise had significantly stronger adverse effect. Those without cancer and diabetes also experienced stronger adverse effect. ConclusionsSelf-reported exposure to occupational noise was associated with increased odds of obesity and continuously measured BMI. Am. J. Ind. Med. 59:1009-1019, 2016. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.