Association between individual occupational noise exposure and overweight/obesity among automotive manufacturing workers in South China

Abstract Background Occupational noise has been associated with numerous adverse health outcomes. However, limited evidence exists regarding its association with obesity. We aim to investigate the effect of occupational noise exposure on the risk of overweight/obesity among workers, providing scient...

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Main Authors: Jiaheng Yu, Jiaxin CUI, Haijuan Huang, Jingwen Zhang, Xin Li, Yanmei Ruan, Zejin Ou, Zhi Wang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-01-01
Series:BMC Public Health
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-21333-2
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author Jiaheng Yu
Jiaxin CUI
Haijuan Huang
Jingwen Zhang
Xin Li
Yanmei Ruan
Zejin Ou
Zhi Wang
author_facet Jiaheng Yu
Jiaxin CUI
Haijuan Huang
Jingwen Zhang
Xin Li
Yanmei Ruan
Zejin Ou
Zhi Wang
author_sort Jiaheng Yu
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Occupational noise has been associated with numerous adverse health outcomes. However, limited evidence exists regarding its association with obesity. We aim to investigate the effect of occupational noise exposure on the risk of overweight/obesity among workers, providing scientific evidence for the prevention and management of overweight/obesity in the occupational population. Methods This study included 3427 participants from two factories in Guangzhou, China. Individual occupational noise exposure levels were assessed using cumulative noise exposure (CNE). Body mass index (BMI) data were obtained from physical examinations. Linear and logistic regression models, restricted cubic spline, as well as subgroup analyses, were used to explore the association. Results In continuous models, each 1 dB-year increase in CNE was significantly associated with a 0.03 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.00, 0.05) kg/m² increase in BMI. In categorical models, higher CNE levels were significantly associated with BMI (β = 0.54, 95% CI: 0.16, 0.92) and overweight/obesity (odd ratio (OR) = 1.57, 95%CI: 1.21, 2.04). Restricted cubic splines (RCS) analysis demonstrated a linear dose-response relationship between CNE and overweight/obesity (P for overall=0.013, P for non-linear=0.175). Additionally, shift and night work were identified as critical moderating factors, with a stronger association observed among workers engaged in shift and night work. Conclusion Occupational noise exposure is positively associated with overweight/obesity, particularly among those engaged in shift and night work. Thus, enhancing noise source management and promoting awareness among workers for prevention are imperative.
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spelling doaj-art-73adfd1fd48a47a2a3416fdcf5f78b932025-01-26T12:55:42ZengBMCBMC Public Health1471-24582025-01-0125111110.1186/s12889-025-21333-2Association between individual occupational noise exposure and overweight/obesity among automotive manufacturing workers in South ChinaJiaheng Yu0Jiaxin CUI1Haijuan Huang2Jingwen Zhang3Xin Li4Yanmei Ruan5Zejin Ou6Zhi Wang7Key Laboratory of Occupational Environment and Health, Guangzhou Twelfth People’s HospitalKey Laboratory of Occupational Environment and Health, Guangzhou Twelfth People’s HospitalKey Laboratory of Occupational Environment and Health, Guangzhou Twelfth People’s HospitalKey Laboratory of Occupational Environment and Health, Guangzhou Twelfth People’s HospitalKey Laboratory of Occupational Environment and Health, Guangzhou Twelfth People’s HospitalKey Laboratory of Occupational Environment and Health, Guangzhou Twelfth People’s HospitalKey Laboratory of Occupational Environment and Health, Guangzhou Twelfth People’s HospitalKey Laboratory of Occupational Environment and Health, Guangzhou Twelfth People’s HospitalAbstract Background Occupational noise has been associated with numerous adverse health outcomes. However, limited evidence exists regarding its association with obesity. We aim to investigate the effect of occupational noise exposure on the risk of overweight/obesity among workers, providing scientific evidence for the prevention and management of overweight/obesity in the occupational population. Methods This study included 3427 participants from two factories in Guangzhou, China. Individual occupational noise exposure levels were assessed using cumulative noise exposure (CNE). Body mass index (BMI) data were obtained from physical examinations. Linear and logistic regression models, restricted cubic spline, as well as subgroup analyses, were used to explore the association. Results In continuous models, each 1 dB-year increase in CNE was significantly associated with a 0.03 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.00, 0.05) kg/m² increase in BMI. In categorical models, higher CNE levels were significantly associated with BMI (β = 0.54, 95% CI: 0.16, 0.92) and overweight/obesity (odd ratio (OR) = 1.57, 95%CI: 1.21, 2.04). Restricted cubic splines (RCS) analysis demonstrated a linear dose-response relationship between CNE and overweight/obesity (P for overall=0.013, P for non-linear=0.175). Additionally, shift and night work were identified as critical moderating factors, with a stronger association observed among workers engaged in shift and night work. Conclusion Occupational noise exposure is positively associated with overweight/obesity, particularly among those engaged in shift and night work. Thus, enhancing noise source management and promoting awareness among workers for prevention are imperative.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-21333-2ObesityOverweightBody mass indexOccupational noise exposureIndividual noise level
spellingShingle Jiaheng Yu
Jiaxin CUI
Haijuan Huang
Jingwen Zhang
Xin Li
Yanmei Ruan
Zejin Ou
Zhi Wang
Association between individual occupational noise exposure and overweight/obesity among automotive manufacturing workers in South China
BMC Public Health
Obesity
Overweight
Body mass index
Occupational noise exposure
Individual noise level
title Association between individual occupational noise exposure and overweight/obesity among automotive manufacturing workers in South China
title_full Association between individual occupational noise exposure and overweight/obesity among automotive manufacturing workers in South China
title_fullStr Association between individual occupational noise exposure and overweight/obesity among automotive manufacturing workers in South China
title_full_unstemmed Association between individual occupational noise exposure and overweight/obesity among automotive manufacturing workers in South China
title_short Association between individual occupational noise exposure and overweight/obesity among automotive manufacturing workers in South China
title_sort association between individual occupational noise exposure and overweight obesity among automotive manufacturing workers in south china
topic Obesity
Overweight
Body mass index
Occupational noise exposure
Individual noise level
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-21333-2
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