Background

Although previous studies have shown that short-term exposure to mercury is associated with obesity, it should be noted that mercury is not easily released and that it constantly accumulates in the body. However, few studies have explored the association between chronic mercury exposure and obesity. This study aimed to examine the association between chronic mercury exposure and obesity in Korean adults.

Methods

The study used baseline data from the Trace Element Study of Korean Adults in Yeungnam area. A total of 495 participants aged 40–69 years who provided the required information (demographic, diet, lifestyle, toenail mercury levels, and health examination results) were included. Toenail mercury levels were measured using neutron-activation analysis. Body mass index and waist circumference were obtained from medical examination. Multivariable-adjusted logistic regression and restricted cubic spline regression were used in the analysis.

Results

In the fully adjusted logistic regression models, participants with the highest toenail mercury levels had a higher prevalence of obesity (odds ratio [OR]: 3.26, 95 % confidence interval [CI]: 1.79–5.93) and abdominal obesity (OR: 2.30, 95 % CI: 1.15–4.59). In the cubic spline regression model, linear relationships were confirmed between increased toenail mercury levels and higher prevalence of obesity and abdominal obesity (all p > 0.05 for nonlinearity).

Conclusions

In summary, chronic mercury exposure was associated with higher prevalence of obesity and abdominal obesity in Korean adults. Therefore, the development of public health interventions against environmental exposure of foods is required to manage and prevent obesity.

中文翻译：

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韩国成年人脚趾甲汞含量与肥胖和腹部肥胖呈正相关

背景

虽然之前的研究表明，短期接触汞与肥胖有关，但需要注意的是，汞不易释放，而且会在体内不断积累。然而，很少有研究探讨慢性汞暴露与肥胖之间的关系。本研究旨在检查韩国成年人慢性汞暴露与肥胖之间的关联。

方法

该研究使用了 Yeungnam 地区韩国成年人微量元素研究的基线数据。总共包括 495 名年龄在 40-69 岁之间的参与者，他们提供了所需的信息（人口统计学、饮食、生活方式、脚趾甲汞含量和健康检查结果）。使用中子活化分析测量脚趾甲汞含量。身体质量指数和腰围通过体检获得。分析中使用了多变量调整逻辑回归和受限三次样条回归。

结果

在完全调整的逻辑回归模型中，脚趾甲汞含量最高的参与者肥胖（比值比 [OR]：3.26，95% 置信区间 [CI]：1.79-5.93）和腹部肥胖（OR：2.30， 95% 置信区间：1.15–4.59）。在三次样条回归模型中，脚趾甲汞含量增加与肥胖和腹部肥胖的患病率升高之间的线性关系得到证实（非线性所有p > 0.05）。

结论

总之，慢性汞暴露与韩国成年人肥胖和腹部肥胖的患病率较高有关。因此，需要针对食品的环境暴露制定公共卫生干预措施，以管理和预防肥胖症。