Traffic noise and obesity

[Nelly]

I just heard about a study that has linked traffic noise to obesity. The study was done in the UK and it was found that long-term exposure to road traffic noise, such as living near a highway or a busy road was associated with an in crease in BMI and waist circumferance. That said, why this would lead to an increase in obesity is a mystery to me. Still it's an interesting finding. In case anyone wants to look into it more or weigh in on the findings, here is the link to the study https://www.sciencedaily.com/release...0817123030.htm

[antoniojones1968]

That's an odd study. I mean it is an interesting find, but does it have more to do with lower-income housing near traffic or that traffic makes people feel crazy so therefore they eat more??

[char]

Hearing traffic can make you fat??? How in the world is that even possible...

[bigbobby]

Hearing traffic can make you fat??? How in the world is that even possible...

That's what I was wondering...maybe it's a demographic thing? Like homes that are built near high traffic are cheaper and people who live there don't make as much money and are naturally stressed and are more inclined to make poor dietary and lifestyle choices (e.g. are less active, etc.) and that sort of thing? Other than that, I genuinely can't figure out how noise could contribute to weight gain...

[Paplo]

That's what I was wondering...maybe it's a demographic thing? Like homes that are built near high traffic are cheaper and people who live there don't make as much money and are naturally stressed and are more inclined to make poor dietary and lifestyle choices (e.g. are less active, etc.) and that sort of thing? Other than that, I genuinely can't figure out how noise could contribute to weight gain...

It seems the researchers don't really know either. From what I understood of the study is that the reason that noise may be a contributor is that it can disrupt sleep and increase stress levels, both of which can impact a person's overall health and waistilne. I mean, when you think about it, when you don't get proper sleep and you are stressed, you tend to eat more and eat more bad foods, you are less active (because you feel tired) etc. I don't think they are saying noise causes obesity, but that it can contribute to other issues that could cause it.

[CuJo1992]

It seems the researchers don't really know either. From what I understood of the study is that the reason that noise may be a contributor is that it can disrupt sleep and increase stress levels, both of which can impact a person's overall health and waistilne. I mean, when you think about it, when you don't get proper sleep and you are stressed, you tend to eat more and eat more bad foods, you are less active (because you feel tired) etc. I don't think they are saying noise causes obesity, but that it can contribute to other issues that could cause it.

Okay that makes more sense and is actually kind of interesting. I wonder if that applies to other noise beyond traffic. I know that there are some people who complain about the sounds of trains and about even the sounds of wind turbines. That said, I have no idea how people could combat that problem without moving away from the noise...and that's just not possible for everyone.

[Nelly]

Okay that makes more sense and is actually kind of interesting. I wonder if that applies to other noise beyond traffic. I know that there are some people who complain about the sounds of trains and about even the sounds of wind turbines. That said, I have no idea how people could combat that problem without moving away from the noise...and that's just not possible for everyone.

I bet it does. I imagine anything that causes you stress and prevents you from getting proper rest is problematic for weight loss.