EFFECTS OF AIR POLLUTION ON OBESITY AND ECTOPIC FAT DEPOSITION
| dc.contributor.advisor | de Souza, Russell J | |
| dc.contributor.author | Munir, Mehnaz | |
| dc.contributor.department | Global Health | en_US |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2025-04-11T19:46:13Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2025-04-11T19:46:13Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2025 | |
| dc.description.abstract | Globally, the prevalence of obesity tripled between 1975 and 2016. Alongside well-known risk factors such as an unhealthy diet, sedentary lifestyle, and genetic predisposition, recent studies suggest that air pollution may also contribute to the obesity epidemic. However, evidence remains inconclusive due to variations in demographics, study designs, and types of pollutants examined. Additionally, few studies have investigated the relationship between air pollution and ectopic fat deposition. This dissertation aims to advance the understanding of ambient air pollution and its association with obesity and body fat distribution. It begins with a systematic review protocol and the resulting systematic review and meta-analysis (Chapters 2 and 3). These are followed by two manuscripts that explore this association using data from a pan-Canadian study. These studies adjust for key covariates and incorporate MRI measures of body fat distribution, including visceral fat, to provide deeper insights (Chapters 4 and 5). | en_US |
| dc.description.degree | Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) | en_US |
| dc.description.degreetype | Thesis | en_US |
| dc.description.layabstract | Air pollution may contribute to the obesity epidemic, but evidence remains inconsistent due to varying results across study designs and populations. Little research has examined air pollution’s effects on body fat distribution, particularly visceral fat, which poses significant health risks. This dissertation explores the links between air pollution and obesity through a systematic review and meta-analysis, and primary analyses of data from a pan-Canadian cohort study. These studies account for confounding factors including age and sex and utilize advanced imaging techniques, such as MRI, to quantify fat deposits. The findings provide valuable insights to inform prevention strategies and improve public health. | en_US |
| dc.identifier.uri | http://hdl.handle.net/11375/31484 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | en_US |
| dc.subject | Air pollution | en_US |
| dc.subject | Obesity | en_US |
| dc.subject | Ectopic fats | en_US |
| dc.subject | Body Mass Index | en_US |
| dc.subject | PM-2.5 | en_US |
| dc.subject | Nitrogen dioxide | en_US |
| dc.subject | Ozone | en_US |
| dc.subject | Sulphur dioxide | en_US |
| dc.subject | Visceral Fats | en_US |
| dc.subject | Liver fats | en_US |
| dc.title | EFFECTS OF AIR POLLUTION ON OBESITY AND ECTOPIC FAT DEPOSITION | en_US |
| dc.type | Thesis | en_US |