Could satellite images predict rates of cancer? Artificial light at night 'increases the risk of diseases including breast cancer and obesity'
- Artificial light-at-night increases the risk of obesity and breast cancer
- Researchers in Israel studied satellite images as part of new study
- Then compared data to incidence rates of obesity and being overweight
- Experts believe artificial light interrupts the production of melatonin
- Disrupting melatonin levels disrupts the body clock, experts say
- Their past research found links with breast cancer and artificial light
Satellite images could predict areas of the world where obesity and some forms of cancer are more prevalent, experts believe.
A new piece of research, which has yet to be published, highlights the link between artificial light-at-night, and diseases including breast cancer and obesity.
Researchers in Israel found a significant link between the strength of artificial light, and areas where people were overweight or obese, Haaretz reports.
To arrive at their conclusions, researchers at the University of Haifa, led by doctoral candidate Nataliya Rybnikova, examined satellite images and compared them to health data from the World Health Organization.
Artificial light-at-night increases the risk of being overweight or obese, researchers at the University of Haifa in Israel have concluded, in a new study
Researchers studied satellite images from the US Defense Meterological Satellite Program. They then combined that data with country-level data on female and male overweight and obesity prevalence rates, from the WHO to arrive at their conclusions
The theory is that artificial light impacts on the body's production of melatonin - a hormone that anticipates the daily onset of darkness.
Typically levels of melatonin change throughout the day, reaching a peak in the evening, while falling off during daytime hours.
Past studies have linked artificial light to obesity.
Last year scientists at Leiden University found, after conducting experiments on mice, that animals exposed to light 24 hours a day for five weeks put on 50 per cent more fat than creatures who kept more normal hours.
This was despite the animals eating the same amount of food, and doing the same level of exercise.
Tests revealed constant light disrupted their body clock and slowed down a vital calorie-burning process.
Worldwide overweight and obesity rates are on the rise, with an estimated 1,900 billion adults being defined as overweight and another 600 million adults being defined as obese, by the World Health Organization.
The study states: 'Increasing exposure to artificial light-at-night (ALAN) may influence body mass, by suppression of melatonin production and disruption of daily rhythms, resulting in physiological or behavioral changes in the human body, and may thus become a driving force behind worldwide overweight and obeseity pandemic.'
A number of studies have linked artificial light to obesity, tests have revealed light disrupts the body clock and slows down the body's metabolism, a vital process in burning calories
Dr Rybnikova and her team examined most recent satellite images of night time illumination from the US Defense Meterological Satellite Program.
They then combined that data with country-level data on female and male overweight and obesity prevalence rates, from the WHO.
They found 'artifical light-at-night emerged as a statistically significant and positive predictor of overweight and obesity'.
Past research by Dr Rybinkova and her team, published in the Journal Chronobiology International, reported links between artifical light-at-night and breast cancer rates.
Researchers analyzed links in 180 countries, taking account of other factors which could have an influence, including birth rates.
They noted a 'statistically significant' positive association between breast cancer and artificial light-at-night.
They added countries in Western Europe showed the highest levels of association, while those in Southeast Asia and the Gulf States exhibited 'relatively low breast cancer rates against a backdrop of relatively high artificial light-at-night levels'.
The recent study is set to be published in The International Journal of Obesity.
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