Been gaining weight for no reason lately? Believe it or not, the problem may have a lot to do with where you live.
According to a surprising new study conducted at the Swedish medical university Karolinska Institute, people living in urban cities are gaining more weight, due to the increase of noise pollution.
Constant traffic, transportation-related noises, and the all-around loudness in big cities have been linked to poor sleep.
Lead study author Dr. Andrei Pyko told Australian Associated Press that sleep disturbances may contribute to weight gain, cardiovascular problems, and a slew of other serious health issues.
"Traffic noise may influence metabolic and cardiovascular functions through sleep disturbances and chronic stress," Pyko said. "Sleep disturbances may affect immune functions, influence the central control of appetite and energy expenditure as well as increase circulating levels of the stress hormone cortisol."
The study, which was published in the medical journal BMJ, took a look at 5,075 Swedish residents who were exposed to road traffic, aircraft noises, and railways over the course of four years.
Surprisingly, the results indicated that individuals who were exposed to more noise pollution generally had more belly fat, which is linked to higher risks of heart disease and cancer.
The problem seems to be more than simply not getting enough sleep. Even getting the recommended 7 to 9 hours of shut-eye every night doesn’t necessarily mean a person is getting quality sleep.
In fact, a 2012 review of 18 studies on sleep and appetite found that people getting 6 hours of good sleep or less each night start producing more gherlin, commonly referred to as the “hunger hormone.”
So, if a person is constantly being woken up at night by traffic noises, their body can respond to the poor sleep by sending hunger signals, causing the tired person to eat more throughout the next day.
Do you live in a big city? If so, do you think this in true? Tell us in the comments!
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