Can air pollution lead to obesity? Experts answer

Poor air quality may not only spike respiratory cardiac and mental health issues but can also lead to weight gain and obesity a precursor to several diseases said doctors on Monday even as the national capital saw worse pollution levelsOn Monday Delhis air quality further plummeted with the Air Quality Index AQI surpassing 400 in multiple parts of the national capital placing it in the severe categoryAreas including Anand Vihar 433 Ashok Vihar 410 Rohini 411 and Vivek Vihar 426 registered AQI levels above 400 according to the Central Pollution Control Board CPCBOther regions like Dwarka Patparganj Jahangirpuri and Punjabi Bagh also recorded severe AQI levelsDifferent studies have proven that an increase in PM10 amp PM25 leads to an increase in Body Mass Index BMI Longterm exposure to toxic air consisting of particulate matter nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide can drive systemic inflammation and metabolic disturbances These factors are crucial in weight gain and obesityBesides causing damage to the lungs liver and kidneys PM25 can also influence metabolism ratesThe health experts noted that poor air quality can force people to stay indoors and decrease physical activity levels leading to obesityldquoPeople of Delhi are getting scared to go out of their homes The outdoor activity of younger children who are in the growing phase of their lives are severely restricted due to which they engage themselves in indoor activities such as playing games on the phone or watching television Lack of physical exercise in this group of patients and overeating leads to the problem of obesityrdquo Dr prof Bobby Bhalotra Vice Chairman Department of Respiratory Medicine at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital Delhi told IANSHe added that patients suffering from hypertension and diabetes are also at risk of weight gainldquoThese patients have to do the walking as part of their treatment and they are used to walking every day to burn extra calories and keep their muscles active Due to air pollution they are locked inside their home and hence are gaining weight Obesity in both of these groups of patients is mentally as physically very harmfulrdquo Bhalotra addedAccording to a recent metaanalysis published in the journal BMC Public Health air pollution can impair metabolic function by influencing inflammation in fat tissue increasing oxidative stress and altering individual dietary habits with a negative effect on glucose metabolism leading to weight gainldquoDifferent studies have proven that an increase in PM 10 and PM 25 leads to an increase in body mass index BMI This effect is more pronounced in adolescence where rise in obesity is related to increase in air pollutionrdquo Dr Vivek Bindal Director ampamp Headndash Max Institute of Minimal Access Bariatric ampamp Robotic Surgery Max Super Speciality Hospital told IANSAlso ReadMidday Explains Weightloss drugs diet fads viral trends Are they worth it for weight management Experts answerThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever