A new study conducted by the Boston University School of Public Health and Oregon State University revealed that individuals exposed to higher levels of aircraft noise were more likely to have a higher body mass index (BMI), which is an indicator of obesity. This finding points to a connection between environmental noise, particularly from airplanes, and negative health outcomes such as obesity, which can lead to serious conditions like stroke or hypertension. The study emphasizes how the environment can play a significant role in shaping health outcomes, particularly in terms of environmental injustices.
Previous research has indicated that noise from aircraft is particularly bothersome to individuals compared to noise from other forms of transportation, and this study adds to the growing body of evidence suggesting that aircraft noise contributes to adverse health effects. The study found that exposure to airplane noise levels of 45 dB or higher was associated with higher self-reported BMI, with the highest BMI measures observed in individuals exposed to noise levels of 55 dB or above. This association was seen across different stages of adulthood, with airplane noise exposure also linked to higher BMI in middle to late adulthood from early adulthood.
BMI serves as an indicator of general obesity and is linked to cardiometabolic diseases and various other health issues. The research is the first to establish a possible link between aircraft noise exposure and obesity in the United States, with past studies focusing on European populations yielding varied results. The study’s lead author, Dr. Matthew Bozigar, noted that while aircraft noise has been previously linked to elevated stress responses and disrupted sleep, the connection with BMI was unexpected, particularly among women in the U.S. These findings highlight the influence of the environment on the risk of chronic diseases.
Dr. Bozigar emphasized that obesity is often stigmatized but is closely tied to poor cardiometabolic health outcomes and has strong environmental drivers. He mentioned the potential for policymakers to implement strategies to address these drivers of obesity and mitigate the associated health risks. The study examined nearly 75,000 participants living near major U.S. airports and analyzed aircraft noise exposure, self-reported BMI, and other individual characteristics over a period from 1995 to 2010. The researchers also noted regional disparities, with stronger associations observed among participants on the West Coast and those living in arid climates.
Future research should delve deeper into the link between aircraft noise exposure and obesity, as well as explore broader inequities in environmental noise exposure, particularly among marginalized populations. Existing data suggest that Black, Hispanic, and low-income communities are disproportionately affected by aircraft noise. Dr. Bozigar highlighted the importance of studying the health impacts of environmental injustices in transportation noise exposure alongside other environmental factors influencing poor health outcomes. This study contributes to a growing body of literature indicating that noise has detrimental effects on health and underscores the need for further investigation into these issues.