July 15, 2024 | A study published by PubMed Central discuses obesity as a critical condition linked to various chronic diseases, impacting quality of life. Beyond diet and exercise, recent research indicates pesticide exposure as a significant risk factor for obesity. This study aimed to investigate the association between pesticide exposure and obesity among farmers in Nakhon Sawan and Phitsanulok provinces, Thailand. Conducted as a population-based cross-sectional study, data were collected from 20,295 farmers aged 20 and older using in-person interview questionnaires. The analysis, utilizing multivariable logistic regression adjusted for potential confounders, revealed a significant association between past pesticide use and obesity.
The results showed that specific types of pesticides, including insecticides (OR = 2.10), herbicides (OR = 4.56), fungicides (OR = 2.12), rodenticides (OR = 2.55), and molluscicides (OR = 3.40), were strong predictors of obesity. Among the 35 individual pesticides surveyed, 22 were significantly associated with higher obesity prevalence, with odds ratios ranging from 1.78 to 8.30. Notably, these included herbicide butachlor, 15 insecticides (carbamate, organochlorine, and organophosphate types), and six fungicides. The findings underscore the critical need for public awareness and stringent control measures on pesticide use to mitigate the health risks posed by these chemicals. This study highlights the urgent requirement for public health interventions to address the association between pesticide exposure and obesity among agricultural workers.[Association between pesticide exposure and obesity: A cross-sectional study of 20,295 farmers in Thailand, 2022.]
Posted on: August 1st, 2024
