Chronic exposure to ambient air pollution and obesity among older adults in China

Population ageing and air pollution have emerged as two of the most pressing challenges in
China. However, little evidence has explored
the influence of air pollution on obesity among older adults in China. The China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study 2015—a nationally representative sample of middle-aged and older Chinese was linked to the air population data at the city level from Ministry of Ecology and Environment. Multilevel logistic models were fitted on obesity status among older people in relation to di erent air quality measures such as chronic exposures to severities of air pollution and pollutants. Air pollution was positively associated with increased risks of general
obesity and abdominal obesity among older adults especially for those with disability. The marginal e ects of overall air quality index (AQI) on obesity suggest that one standard deviation increase in AQI is associated with increased risks of central obesity by 2.9% (95%CI 1.8% 3.9%) and abdominal obesity by 6.2% (95%CI 4.4% 8.1%). The risk of chronic exposures to light (and moderate), heavy and severe pollution on obesity elevated in a graded fashion in line with the level of pollution. Durations of exposure to PM2.5 and PM10 were significantly associated with increased risk of obesity among older people in China. Chronic exposures to severe air pollution and certain pollutants such as PM2.5 and PM10 raise the risk of obesity among older people in China and the e ects were particularly strong for those with disability. Future policies that target these factors might provide a promising way of improving the physical health of older people.