Key result
Long-term nitrogen dioxide exposure attenuated or reversed the beneficial effects of physical activity on fasting plasma glucose levels, with a reversal threshold at 33.02 µg/m3.
Why the study?
The combined effects of physical activity and nitrogen dioxide exposure on fasting plasma glucose levels have rarely been studied.
Does long-term exposure to NO2 attenuate the association between physical activity and fasting plasma glucose levels in non-diabetic older adults?
Cross-Sectional (n=2,600)
Does long-term exposure to NO2 attenuate the association between physical activity and fasting plasma glucose levels in non-diabetic older adults?
Long-term exposure to NO2 attenuates or reverses the beneficial effects of physical activity on fasting plasma glucose levels in non-diabetic older adults.
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
High NO2 may attenuate physical activity benefits on fasting glucose; hypothesis-generating from cross-sectional data, needs prospective confirmation.
The combined effects of physical activity (PA) and nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ) on fasting plasma glucose (FPG) levels have rarely been studied. This study aimed to examine whether long-term exposure to NO 2 attenuates the association between PA and FPG levels in non-diabetic older adults. A total of 2600 non-diabetic elderly Chinese adults were included in this cross-sectional study. PA data were collected using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). The Space-Time Extra-Trees model was utilized to estimate the annual concentration of NO 2 . General linear regression models were used to assess independent and interaction associations of long-term exposure to NO 2 and PA with FPG levels. An interaction plot was employed to enhance the visual representation of the interaction. A 0.32 µg/m 3 increase in the 3-year average NO 2 , corresponding to one interquartile range (IQR), was positively associated with FPG levels ( β = 0.099 mmol/L, 95% CI : 0.069–0.130). PA exhibited a negative, albeit non-significant, association with FPG levels ( β = -0.027 mmol/L, 95% CI : -0.069, 0.015). A statistically significant interaction between PA and NO 2 on FPG levels was observed ( P for interaction = 0.016). The interaction plots revealed that the beneficial effects of PA on FPG levels were attenuated or even reversed as NO 2 concentrations increased, with a threshold for reversal at 33.02 µg/m 3 . Long-term exposure to NO 2 attenuates or reverses the beneficial effects of PA on FPG levels in non-diabetic older adults. Therefore, further action is imperative to reduce air pollution and thereby enhance the benefits of PA on FPG levels.
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Zhang et al. (2025) conducted a cross-sectional in Non-diabetic (n=2,600). Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) exposure vs. Lower NO2 exposure was evaluated on Fasting plasma glucose (FPG) levels (β = 0.099 mmol/L, 95% CI 0.069-0.130, p=<0.001). Long-term nitrogen dioxide exposure attenuated or reversed the beneficial effects of physical activity on fasting plasma glucose levels, with a reversal threshold at 33.02 µg/m3.
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