Relationship between environmental exposure to pesticides and anthropometric outcomes of boys in the rural Western Cape, South Africa

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dc.contributor.authorOchieng, A A
dc.contributor.authorDalvie, M A
dc.contributor.authorLittle, F
dc.contributor.authorKromhout, H
dc.date.accessioned2021-10-08T07:18:07Z
dc.date.available2021-10-08T07:18:07Z
dc.date.issued2013
dc.description.abstractBACKGROUND: Rural residents in the Western Cape (WC), South Africa (SA) are highly exposed to agricultural pesticides that could impact their reproductive development. However, epidemiological evidence of the effect of pesticides on pubertal growth is contradictory. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of pesticide exposure measured using indices of environmental exposure to pesticides on the pubertal growth of boys in rural WC, SA. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of 269 boys (177 of whom gave a history of residing on farms) was conducted. A questionnaire was administered, height and weight were measured and body mass index was calculated. A proximity index (PI) and spraying index (SI) was developed, measuring the lifetime average home distance from pesticide spraying and average frequency of spraying pesticides on a farm, respectively. RESULTS: Median age of boys was 12.4 years (interquartile range 9.5 - 13.3). More than 60% boys had height and weight <50th percentile for age. After adjusting for confounders, PI was significantly associated with shorter stature and lower weight (-1.7 cm/10-fold decrease, p=0.02 and -1.24 kg/10-fold decrease, p=0.04; respectively) and SI was non-significantly associated (-1.4 cm/10-fold increase, p=0.05 and -1.1 cm/10-fold increase, p=0.06; respectively). Associations were stronger for boys aged <11 years and were weaker when excluding non- farm boys. There were no other associations between outcome and exposure. CONCLUSIONS: The use of quantitative exposure indices showed that lower heights and weights might be associated with pesticide exposure in farm boys v. non-farm boys, but not among farm boys. Lower anthropometric measurements among farm boys v. non-farm boys appear stronger at a younger age. The indices of environmental exposure to pesticides require further development.
dc.identifier.apacitationOchieng, A. A., Dalvie, M. A., Little, F., & Kromhout, H. (2013). Relationship between environmental exposure to pesticides and anthropometric outcomes of boys in the rural Western Cape, South Africa. <i>South African Medical Journal</i>, 103(12), 942 - 177. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/34909en_ZA
dc.identifier.chicagocitationOchieng, A A, M A Dalvie, F Little, and H Kromhout "Relationship between environmental exposure to pesticides and anthropometric outcomes of boys in the rural Western Cape, South Africa." <i>South African Medical Journal</i> 103, 12. (2013): 942 - 177. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/34909en_ZA
dc.identifier.citationOchieng, A.A., Dalvie, M.A., Little, F. & Kromhout, H. 2013. Relationship between environmental exposure to pesticides and anthropometric outcomes of boys in the rural Western Cape, South Africa. <i>South African Medical Journal.</i> 103(12):942 - 177. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/34909en_ZA
dc.identifier.issn0038-2469
dc.identifier.ris TY - Journal Article AU - Ochieng, A A AU - Dalvie, M A AU - Little, F AU - Kromhout, H AB - BACKGROUND: Rural residents in the Western Cape (WC), South Africa (SA) are highly exposed to agricultural pesticides that could impact their reproductive development. However, epidemiological evidence of the effect of pesticides on pubertal growth is contradictory. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of pesticide exposure measured using indices of environmental exposure to pesticides on the pubertal growth of boys in rural WC, SA. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of 269 boys (177 of whom gave a history of residing on farms) was conducted. A questionnaire was administered, height and weight were measured and body mass index was calculated. A proximity index (PI) and spraying index (SI) was developed, measuring the lifetime average home distance from pesticide spraying and average frequency of spraying pesticides on a farm, respectively. RESULTS: Median age of boys was 12.4 years (interquartile range 9.5 - 13.3). More than 60% boys had height and weight <50th percentile for age. After adjusting for confounders, PI was significantly associated with shorter stature and lower weight (-1.7 cm/10-fold decrease, p=0.02 and -1.24 kg/10-fold decrease, p=0.04; respectively) and SI was non-significantly associated (-1.4 cm/10-fold increase, p=0.05 and -1.1 cm/10-fold increase, p=0.06; respectively). Associations were stronger for boys aged <11 years and were weaker when excluding non- farm boys. There were no other associations between outcome and exposure. CONCLUSIONS: The use of quantitative exposure indices showed that lower heights and weights might be associated with pesticide exposure in farm boys v. non-farm boys, but not among farm boys. Lower anthropometric measurements among farm boys v. non-farm boys appear stronger at a younger age. The indices of environmental exposure to pesticides require further development. DA - 2013 DB - OpenUCT DP - University of Cape Town IS - 12 J1 - South African Medical Journal LK - https://open.uct.ac.za PY - 2013 SM - 0038-2469 T1 - Relationship between environmental exposure to pesticides and anthropometric outcomes of boys in the rural Western Cape, South Africa TI - Relationship between environmental exposure to pesticides and anthropometric outcomes of boys in the rural Western Cape, South Africa UR - http://hdl.handle.net/11427/34909 ER - en_ZA
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/11427/34909
dc.identifier.vancouvercitationOchieng AA, Dalvie MA, Little F, Kromhout H. Relationship between environmental exposure to pesticides and anthropometric outcomes of boys in the rural Western Cape, South Africa. South African Medical Journal. 2013;103(12):942 - 177. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/34909.en_ZA
dc.language.isoeng
dc.publisher.departmentDepartment of Public Health and Family Medicine
dc.publisher.facultyFaculty of Health Sciences
dc.sourceSouth African Medical Journal
dc.source.journalissue12
dc.source.journalvolume103
dc.source.pagination942 - 177
dc.source.urihttps://dx.doi.org/10.7196/SAMJ.6942
dc.subject.otherBody Height
dc.subject.otherBody Mass Index
dc.subject.otherBody Weight
dc.subject.otherChild
dc.subject.otherCross-Sectional Studies
dc.subject.otherEnvironmental Exposure
dc.subject.otherEnvironmental Monitoring
dc.subject.otherEnvironmental Pollutants
dc.subject.otherHealth Status Disparities
dc.subject.otherHumans
dc.subject.otherMale
dc.subject.otherPesticides
dc.subject.otherRural Population
dc.subject.otherSouth Africa
dc.titleRelationship between environmental exposure to pesticides and anthropometric outcomes of boys in the rural Western Cape, South Africa
dc.typeJournal Article
uct.type.publicationResearch
uct.type.resourceJournal Article
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