BPA May be Linked to Obesity in Children
- Posted by Denise
- on Jun, 17, 2013
- in Blog Posts
- Blog No Comments.
BPA (bisphenol A) is a man-made compound that is used to make certain plastics and is found in food packaging, sporting equipment, water bottles, and in the lining of water pipes. It has some hormone-like properties, which has made its safety questionable. In 2010, the FDA warned that BPA may be hazardous to fetuses, infants, and young children, and in 2012, the US banned BPA use in baby bottles and sippy cups. However, it is not banned from other food containers. Some studies show that 92% of Americans have detectable BPA levels in their bodies.
A recent study in PLoS One showed that preteen girls, aged 9-12, who had higher than average levels of BPA in their urine, were 2x as likely to be obese. A second study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in 2012 found a similar result. They reported that higher BPA levels in boys and girls were correlated to higher levels of obesity compared to those children with lower levels of BPA, even after taking calories and exercise into account. An unhealthy diet and lack of exercise are still the leading causes of obesity; however, it is important to note that other environmental factors may be contributing to the obesity epidemic.
Comments & Responses
Categories
Archives
- February 2021
- November 2020
- October 2020
- June 2016
- May 2016
- April 2016
- March 2016
- February 2016
- January 2016
- December 2015
- November 2015
- October 2015
- September 2015
- August 2015
- July 2015
- June 2015
- May 2015
- April 2015
- March 2015
- February 2015
- January 2015
- December 2014
- November 2014
- October 2014
- September 2014
- August 2014
- July 2014
- June 2014
- May 2014
- April 2014
- March 2014
- February 2014
- January 2014
- December 2013
- November 2013
- October 2013
- September 2013
- August 2013
- July 2013
- June 2013
- May 2013
- April 2013
- March 2013
- February 2013
- January 2013
- December 2012