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An Examination of the Association of Selected Toxic Metals with Total and Central Obesity Indices: NHANES 99-02

Author

Listed:
  • Miguel A. Padilla

    (Department of Psychology, Old Dominion University, 250 Mills Godwin Building, Norfolk, VA 23529, USA
    Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Old Dominion University, 250 Mills Godwin Building, Norfolk, VA 23529, USA)

  • Mai Elobeid

    (Department of Biostatistics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1665 University Boulevard, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
    Division of Cardiovascular Disease, Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmngham, 1665 University Boulevard, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA)

  • Douglas M. Ruden

    (Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Wayne State University, 259 Mack Avenue, Detroit, Michigan 48201, USA
    Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University, Wayne State University, 275 E. Hancock Avenue, Detroit, MI 48201, USA)

  • David B. Allison

    (Department of Biostatistics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1665 University Boulevard, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
    Department of Nutrition Sciences, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1665 University Boulevard, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
    Clinical Nutrition Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1665 University Boulevard, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA)

Abstract

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Miguel A. Padilla & Mai Elobeid & Douglas M. Ruden & David B. Allison, 2010. "An Examination of the Association of Selected Toxic Metals with Total and Central Obesity Indices: NHANES 99-02," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 7(9), pages 1-16, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:7:y:2010:i:9:p:3332-3347:d:9390
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    Cited by:

    1. Beatrice Campanella & Laura Colombaioni & Edoardo Benedetti & Agostino Di Ciaula & Lisa Ghezzi & Massimo Onor & Massimo D’Orazio & Roberto Giannecchini & Riccardo Petrini & Emilia Bramanti, 2019. "Toxicity of Thallium at Low Doses: A Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(23), pages 1-6, November.
    2. Kamila Pokorska-Niewiada & Agnieszka Brodowska & Jacek Brodowski & Małgorzata Szczuko, 2022. "Levels of Trace Elements in Erythrocytes as Endocrine Disruptors in Obese and Nonobese Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(2), pages 1-12, January.

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