PRIYANKA CHAKRABORTY, AMITY UNIVERSITY, KOLKATA
Barcelona Institute for Global Health, for the first time, pointed out the relationships between multiple urban lifestyles, and body mass index (BMI) exposure. There is growing evidence that urban exposures like air pollution and a huge population are directly declining the growth and increasing obesity in children. Data was collected from 80,000 children living in urban environments and results were produced. This phenomenon is believed to overpower in children from pregnancy to the first few years of a child’s life, making the fact even more astonishing.
The data collected were taken from the primary care medical records in Catalonia, which analyzed 79,992 children born in urban areas, followed up to their five years of age. BMI growth following height and weight were recorded as well as relationships of these records with urban environments like air pollution were calculated. It is proved that green spaces are more favourable for a child’s weight rather than more exposure to pollution. The possible idea behind a lower BMI and exposure to green space could be seen by the fact that these spaces are a valuable resource favouring physical activity and result in a positive effect on the growth of the fetus and later on the child.
Air pollution, like oxidative stress and inflammation, lead to changes in the basal metabolism of infants, thereby increasing the risk of obesity by inducing insulin resistance and hormonal alterations. On the other hand, a higher population may be associated with a higher BMI because of traffic levels in the more populated areas may increase a perceived lack of safety and reduce active modes of travel (walking and cycling), further increasing childhood obesity.
Children are most sensitive and vulnerable in their early ages. Their metabolism is also not very strong, and these are the times that a critical environmental exposure can demean their physical structures completely further affecting their adult lives as well. The scientists are further encouraged to undertake another environmental exposure into consideration to further strengthen their point.
Also read: STEROIDS AS A MONUMENTAL REMEDY TO PRE-TERM BIRTH PITFALLS
Source:
Barcelona Institute for Global Health (IS Global)
Citation:
de Bont, J., et al. (2020) Early life exposure to air pollution, green spaces and built environment, and body mass index growth trajectories during the first 5 years of life: A large longitudinal study. Environmental Pollution. doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2020.115266.
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