An Examination of the Association of Selected Toxic Metals with Total and Central Obesity Indices

Nhanes 99-02

Bibliographic Data

ID15465618
AuthorsMiguel A Padilla (Old Dominion University), Mai Elobeid (University of Alabama), Douglas M Ruden (0000-0002-0070-437X, Wayne State University), David B Allison (0000-0003-3566-9399, University of Alabama at Birmingham, corresponding author)
Year2010
Volume7
Issue9
Pages3332-3347
Publication date2010-08-26
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1661-7827 • E-ISSN: 1660-4601
PublisherMultidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3390/ijerph7093332
PMID20948927
PMCIDPMC2954548
OpenAlexW2113973351
LanguageEN
Citations received6
References cited35

It is conceivable that toxic metals contribute to obesity by influencing various aspects of metabolism, such as by substituting for essential micronutrients and vital metals, or by inducing oxidative stress. Deficiency of the essential metal zinc decreases adiposity in humans and rodent models, whereas deficiencies of chromium, copper, iron, and magnesium increases adiposity. This study utilized the NHANES 99-02 data to explore the association between waist circumference and body mass index with the body burdens of selected toxic metals (barium, cadmium, cobalt, cesium, molybdenum, lead, antimony, thallium, and tungsten). Some of the associations were significant direct relationships (barium and thallium), and some of the associations were significant inverse relationships (cadmium, cobalt, cesium, and lead). Molybdenum, antimony, and tungsten had mostly insignificant associations with waist circumference and body mass index. This is novel result for most of the toxic metals studied, and a surprising result for lead because high stored lead levels have been shown to correlate with higher rates of diabetes, and obesity may be a key risk factor for developing diabetes. These associations suggest the possibility that environmental exposure to metals may contribute to variations in human weight gain/loss. Future research, such as prospective studies rather than the cross-sectional studies presented here, is warranted to confirm these findings

Barium · Body mass index · Cadmium · Cobalt · Diabetes mellitus · Obesity · Waist · Chemistry · Effects and risks of endocrine disrupting chemicals · Heavy Metal Exposure and Toxicity · Medicine · Trace Elements in Health · Endocrinology · Environmental Chemistry · Inorganic Chemistry · Internal Medicine