Babies exposed to certain chemicals in the womb are more likely to experience rapid weight gain during early childhood, according to a recent study published in the Environmental Health Perspectives journal. The research suggests a connection between exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals in the uterus and an increase in a child’s body mass index (BMI) from birth to 9 years of age.
The study specifically identifies polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), or “forever chemicals,” as responsible for the weight gain observed in unborn children. These chemicals, derived from fungicides and pesticides, gradually degrade inside the body. PFAS can be found in everyday items such as non-stick cookware, cosmetic products, plastic food containers, as well as in some meat and fish if the animals were exposed to contaminated land or water. They interact with the human endocrine system by mimicking natural hormones.
To conduct the research, data from over 1900 pairs of mothers and children in Spain were analyzed, collected between 2003 and 2008. The mothers provided blood and urine samples during pregnancy, which were used to measure the concentration of endocrine-disrupting chemicals in their bodies. The scientists then measured the children’s BMI at various points up to age 9.
The analysis revealed that babies with higher exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals before birth were more likely to be born smaller than the average, but subsequently experienced rapid growth during their childhood. Additionally, exposure to two specific chemicals was associated with a higher risk of rapid BMI gain after a baby was born larger than average.
According to the study’s lead author, Parisa Montazeri, a possible reason for this correlation is that endocrine-disrupting chemicals can mimic or block hormones involved in food breakdown and alter the body’s hunger cues or sensitivity to sugar and fats. This, in turn, can lead to weight-related issues.
Montazeri, who works at the Barcelona Institute for Global Health, emphasized that a rapid increase in BMI during childhood is linked to various health issues in adulthood, including obesity, fatty liver disease, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. By identifying early factors that contribute to these health issues, doctors may be able to intervene and mitigate the risk of disease later in life.
However, Montazeri also acknowledged that endocrine-disrupting chemicals are just one aspect that contributes to the rising obesity rates worldwide. Sedentary lifestyles and poor dietary habits also play crucial roles.
This study sheds light on the impact of chemical exposure in the womb on childhood weight gain and underscores the importance of understanding and addressing these factors to combat the global obesity epidemic.