This proposal is part of LongITools project (B3289).

Key modifiable risk factors for hyperglycaemia/diabetes include unhealthy diet, lack of physical activity and overweight/obesity. These are, in part, determined by the built environment, which comprises components such as walkability index, accessibility, population density, land use mix, and food environment. Most of the research assessing the association between built environment and glycaemic traits assesses type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in adulthood as an endpoint. Very few studies have assessed the association between the built environment and glucose and insulin-related traits in children/adolescents.

The association between air pollution and glucose and insulin-related traits has been more widely studied. Exposures to PM10 and PM2.5 have been associated with higher fasting blood glucose, and several meta-analyses have shown that air pollution is associated with the prevalence and incidence of T2DM. Air pollution, more specifically NO2 and PM10, has also been associated with insulin levels and insulin resistance, and some of these associations have been observed in childhood.

There is also evidence for associations between noise and higher prevalence and incidence of T2DM. To the best of our knowledge, no studies have assessed noise and glucose and insulin-related traits in childhood/adolescence.

This study aims to assess the associations of built environment, air pollution and noise with longitudinal changes in glucose, glycated haemoglobin, insulin and insulin resistance from childhood to early adulthood using data from European prospective studies.