Association of outdoor artificial light at night with metabolic syndrome and the modifying effect of tree and grass cover

Sep 11, 2023Ecotoxicology and environmental safety

Outdoor artificial light at night linked to metabolic syndrome, influenced by nearby trees and grass

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Abstract

The odds ratio of metabolic syndrome (MetS) increases to 1.204 in individuals with the highest exposure to outdoor artificial light at night (ALAN).

Higher exposure to outdoor ALAN is associated with increased odds of MetS, particularly in the third and fourth quantiles of exposure.
The follow-up study indicates a significant association between high ALAN exposure and MetS risk over time.
Adverse associations were observed between ALAN and specific components of MetS, including elevated fasting blood glucose, high triglycerides, and obesity.
Stronger associations of ALAN with MetS were noted in males, older adults, urban dwellers, and individuals with lower physical activity levels.
Living in areas with less grass and tree cover is linked to higher MetS risk in relation to ALAN exposure.

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BACKGROUND: Epidemiological studies show that outdoor artificial light at night (ALAN) is linked to metabolic hazards, but its association with metabolic syndrome (MetS) remains unclear. We aimed to investigate the association of outdoor ALAN with MetS in middle-aged and elderly Chinese.

METHODS: From 2017-2020, we conducted a cross-sectional study in a total of 109,452 participants living in ten cities of eastern China. MetS was defined by fasting blood glucose (FG), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), blood pressure (BP), and waist circumference (WC). In 2021, we followed up 4395 participants without MetS at the baseline. Each participant's five-year average exposure to outdoor ALAN, as well as their exposure to green space type, were measured through matching to their address. Generalized linear models were used to assess the associations of outdoor ALAN with MetS. Stratified analyses were performed by sex, age, region, physical activity, and exposure to green space.

RESULTS: In the cross-sectional study, compared to the first quantile (Q1) of outdoor ALAN exposure, the odds ratios (ORs) of MetS were 1.156 [95 % confidence interval (CI): 1.111-1.203] and 1.073 (95 %CI: 1.021-1.128) respectively in the third and fourth quantiles (Q3, Q4) of outdoor ALAN exposure. The follow-up study found that, compared to the first quantile (Q1) of outdoor ALAN exposure, the OR of MetS in Q4 of ALAN exposure was 1.204 (95 %CI: 1.019-1.422). Adverse associations of ALAN with MetS components, including high FG, high TG, and obesity, were also found. Greater associations of ALAN with MetS were found in males, the elderly, urban residents, those with low frequency of physical activity, and those living in areas with low levels of grass cover and tree cover.

CONCLUSIONS: Outdoor ALAN exposure is associated with an increased MetS risk, especially in males, the elderly, urban residents, those lacking physical activity, and those living in lower levels of grass cover and tree cover.

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Association of outdoor artificial light at night with metabolic syndrome and the modifying effect of tree and grass cover

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