A journal Occupational & Environmental Medicine-published study has unveiled that people living near high-traffic areas are at an increased risk of developing extra fat around their midsection.

Clinically, fat stored around mid-section is known as central obesity and is considered one of the most harmful types of body fat. The study researchers said more sources of noise people were exposed to higher were their chances of suffering from abdominal obesity.

Study author Goran Pershagen said that urbanization level is increasing owing to which traffic volume is on rise leading to increased exposure to traffic noise. In such a situation, it has become vital for evaluate public health consequences of the development.

In the research, the study researchers assessed the exposure level of 5,075 people in Sweden from traffic, railroad and aircraft noise since 1999. The researchers gathered the official data on traffic levels from five municipalities and took data on aircraft noise from a major airport.

The participants aged between 43 and 66 were asked to fill in questionnaire covering questions including lifestyle, current state of health, levels of psychological distress, insomnia, and job strain. The study researchers also asked the participants about environmental noise pollution. Lastly, the volunteers underwent a physical examination in which their blood pressure, diabetes, a test to assess central body fat and overall obesity carried out.

The researchers said 62% of the participants get exposed to traffic noise on a regular basis of at least 45 decibels. One in 20 people was exposed to similar noise levels from trains. More than 1,100 participants were exposed to aircraft noise of over 45 dB. The result has suggested an association between noise pollution and a bigger waist size.

One of the reasons could be noise pollution acting as a physiological stressor, increasing the production of the hormone cortisol.