ABSTRACT
Background There is a lack of evidence on whether exposure to PM2.5 and its constituents would affect the relationship between the dietary approaches to stop hypertension (DASH) and central obesity. Objective To investigate the effect of exposure to PM2.5 and its constituents on the correlation between the DASH dietary pattern and the prevalence of central obesity. Methods The data were obtained from the baseline survey of the "Xinjiang Multi-Ethnic Natural Population Cohort Construction and Health Follow-Up Study" in Urumqi. A DASH score was calculated according to intake frequency of 8 food groups, and summed from intake frequency of recommended food groups scored from 1 to 5 from low to high, and intake frequency of restricted food groups scored from 1 to 5 from high to low. A higher DASH score indicates better compliance with the DASH dietary pattern. We estimated exposure using satellite-derived PM2.5 and a chemical transport model (GEOS-Chem) for its constituents, including organic carbon (OC), black carbon (BC), sulfate (SO42−), nitrate (NO3−), ammonium (NH4+), and soil dust. Central obesity was defined by waist circumference: ≥90 cm for men or ≥85 cm for women according to Criteria of weight for adults (WS/T 428—2013). A logistic regression model was used to analyze the effects of the DASH dietary pattern as well as PM2.5 and its constituents on central obesity, and a stratified analysis was used to explore the effects of PM2.5 and its constituents on the association between the DASH dietary pattern and central obesity. Results The study included 9 565 urban residents, aged (62.30±9.42) years, with a central obesity prevalence rate of 60.75%. After adjusting for selected confounders, the DASH score Q5 group had a 17.5% lower risk of central obesity than the Q1 group (OR=0.825, 95%CI: 0.720-0.947). PM2.5 and its constituents OC, BC, SO42−, NH4+, and soil dust were positively associated with the prevalence of central obesity, but no association was observed between constituent NO3− exposure and central obesity. The stratified analysis revealed that the prevalence of central obesity was reduced in the DASH score Q5 group in participants exposed to low concentrations of PM2.5 and its constituents NO3−, NH4+, and soil dust, while the protective effect of the DASH pattern on central obesity disappeared in subjects exposed to high concentrations of PM2.5 and its constituents NO3−, NH4+, and soil dust. Conclusion Exposure to PM2.5 and its constituents NO3−, NH4+, and soil dust could attenuate the protective effect of the DASH pattern on central obesity.