A recent study funded by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development has revealed that individuals with elevated blood levels of specific “forever chemicals” during pregnancy exhibit higher weights and increased body fat concentrations in mid-life compared to those with lower levels. These chemicals, scientifically known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), are commonly found in nonstick cookware, stain-resistant fabrics, cosmetics, and various consumer products. Notably, PFAS are known for their persistence in the environment and their tendency to accumulate in human tissues.
Interestingly, the study also identified a contrasting relationship: participants with higher levels of two other PFAS showed lower body weight and fat measurements than those with the lowest levels of these substances.
Conducted by Dr. Jordan A. Burdeau and colleagues from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, the research has been published in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.
Weight gain during pregnancy is a well-documented factor contributing to obesity later in life. PFAS are suspected to play a role in this process, potentially interacting with cell surface receptors and facilitating the formation of fat tissue. While some studies have examined the effects of PFAS concentrations on weight gain up to 11 years post-pregnancy, the current research aims to explore the relationship between PFAS levels in early pregnancy and mid-life obesity.
The study analyzed data from 547 participants enrolled in a previous study who were pregnant before their 22nd week. Researchers compared plasma PFAS concentrations recorded at enrollment to participants’ weight and body fat measurements taken 17 to 20 years later.
Findings indicated that participants in the 75th percentile for perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) were, on average, 7.7 kilograms (nearly 17 pounds) heavier than those in the 25th percentile. Furthermore, those in the higher percentile also had an average trunk fat mass—comprising fat in the abdomen, chest, and back—that was 1.2 kilograms (approximately 2.7 pounds) greater than their lower-percentile counterparts. The total body fat mass for this group was an average of 3 kilograms (almost 7 pounds) heavier than those in the lower percentile.
Participants with PFOS levels more than twice that of those with the lowest PFOS levels were an average of 3.8 kilograms (over 8 pounds) heavier. Additionally, individuals with double the level of 2-(N-ethyl-perfluorooctane sulfonamido) acetate weighed 2.3 kilograms (around 5 pounds) more than those with minimal exposure to the compound.
In contrast, individuals with the highest levels of perfluorononanoate and perfluorohexane sulfonate had lower weights and body fat measurements compared to those with lower levels of these compounds.
The researchers concluded that pregnancy represents a critical period during which certain PFAS may increase the likelihood of obesity and the associated risk of heart disease later in life. They emphasized the necessity for larger studies to validate these findings. Results from such research could guide interventions aimed at reducing the risk of obesity and heart disease in mid-life individuals.
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