Got a noisy bedroom? You might be at a greater risk for weight gain, according to a new study conducted at the Swedish medical university Karolinska Institute. As urban communities grow and rural ones shrink, noise pollution is a growing problem. Traffic and other transportation-associated noise are sometimes to blame for sleep disturbances, which in turn may contribute to weight gain, cardiovascular risk and a host of other potential health problems. "Traffic noise may influence metabolic and cardiovascular functions through sleep disturbances and chronic stress," lead study author Dr.