Airplane noise makes airport residents gain weight

A study by the Boston University School of Public Health confirms a strong link between repeated aircraft noise and a higher body mass index among airport residents. These researchers in fact crossed the exposure to aircraft noise of nearly 75,000 people living around the 90 main American airports over a period of 15 years with their body mass index. And this data showed a correlation between higher BMI and air traffic noise above 50 or 55 dB, which is when aircraft noise levels drown out or interfere with the sound of a conversation.

This physiological consequence seems linked to stress and lack of sleep. Previous studies have shown higher levels of cortisol (a stress marker) in the saliva of people exposed to air pollution. However, we know that stress can, just like fatigue, disrupt metabolism, promote snacking and weight gain. At the same time, previous studies have also shown that air pollution is associated with a greater risk of hypertension or cardiovascular disease.

This same level of noise pollution, 50 decibels and more, is also found in France, sometimes at distances of up to 30 or 40 km from the slopes. A study updated by Santé Publique France this year, and covering 1,200 residents of Paris-Charles-de-Gaulles, Lyon-Saint-Exupéry and Toulouse-Blagnac airports, actually showed a statistical link between exposure to noise from planes: shorter nights, fatigue, greater frequency of hypertension and stress…

More generally, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that noise represents the second environmental factor causing the most health damage in Europe, just behind air pollution. One in five Europeans is chronically exposed to excessive noise pollution.