Do we get fat because of air pollution? A new socio-economic approach

Air pollution and obesity are two of the main challenges that need to be addressed in developed countries. This paper analyses the relationship between obesity/overweight rates and outdoor (ambient) air quality in Spain. The results confirm, through logistic regressions, that the typical profile of an obese/overweight person is that of an older man. Air pollution does not have a clear negative effect on obesity/overweight for our sample selection (OR: 0.99; N = 23,089, men and women aged 15 and over). Similarly, there does not appear to be an urban pollution/obesity pattern. However, we find a detrimental effect for the group of elderly people, perhaps linked to a negative exposure duration effect (OR: 1.11; for those aged >= 55 years, N = 10,932). In our study we argue that public policies should address lifestyles and at the same time reduce specific air pollutants to enhance population health and wellbeing.

Automated summary

This paper analyzes the relationship between obesity rates and outdoor air quality in Spain and finds that air pollution does not have a clear negative effect on obesity. However, there may be a detrimental effect on elderly people.