A recent study funded by the Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Program at the National Institutes of Health has revealed a potential link between exposure to organophosphate esters (OPEs) during pregnancy and the risk of childhood obesity. OPEs, which are chemicals found in everyday products such as plastics and flame retardants, may have varying effects on the development of obesity in children.
The research indicated that children aged 5 to 10, exposed to higher levels of dibutyl phosphate and di-isobutyl phosphate (DBUP/DIBP) in utero, faced a 14% increased risk of obesity compared to those with the lowest exposure levels. Conversely, children whose mothers had higher exposure levels of bis(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate (BDCPP) during pregnancy had a 15% reduced risk of obesity.
“These chemicals are OPEs, which replaced polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE) as flame retardants and plastic softeners in the mid-2000s,” said Assiamira Ferrara, MD, PhD, senior research scientist at Kaiser Permanente Northern California Division of Research. “Studies in toxicology and epidemiology suggest that these substances can interfere with hormone systems and may be linked to obesity.” Ferrara emphasized that the relationship between OPE exposure during pregnancy and childhood obesity is complex, warranting further investigation into a broader range of OPE chemicals.
The study involved 5,087 mother-child pairs from 14 ECHO Cohort Study Sites. Researchers measured the levels of OPEs in the mother’s urine during pregnancy and monitored their children’s body mass index (BMI) from infancy up to age 10. The participants were pregnant between 2006 and 2020, a period when OPEs were being introduced as replacements for PBDEs.
“These findings underscore the need for further research to inform public health programs and regulatory policies aimed at mitigating childhood obesity risks from environmental chemical exposures,” said Alicia K. Peterson, PhD, staff scientist at Kaiser Permanente Northern California Division of Research. The collaborative research across the ECHO Cohort was published in Environment International.
Conclusion
The study’s results highlight the potential impact of environmental chemical exposures on childhood obesity risks and the necessity for continued research. Understanding the intricate relationship between OPE exposure and obesity could lead to the development of targeted public health strategies and regulatory policies to protect children’s health and reduce the prevalence of obesity.
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