Endocrine Disruptors, Bisphenol-A, Found in Common Plastics and Pesticides can make Children Obese

By Ina Woolcott

Endocrine-disrupting environmental chemicals, including some found in commonly used plastics and pesticides, may influence obesity. Foetuses that are exposed to these chemicals, may have their gene function altered, the metabolic system may be altered posing a greater threat of obesity and disease.

A human exposed to these chemicals as a foetus could eat the same foods and exercise the same amount of time as someone with a normal metabolic system, but be far more likely to become obese. A serious problem, as obesity puts people at risk for other problems, including cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and hypertension.

Researchers have examined the effects of these chemicals, including Bisphenol-A, on lab mice. The mice were born with abnormally low birth weights, and then gained abnormally large amounts of weight over a short period, more than doubling their body weight in just a week. These mice went on to be obese throughout their lives. Similar effects have been observed in low birth weight children.

Conventionally obesity is discussed in terms of how much people eat and how much they exercise, but Frederick vom Saal, professor of biological sciences in MU's College of Arts and Science, has found that when foetuses are exposed to these chemicals, the way their genes function may be altered to make them more prone to obesity and disease.

Studies of children with low-birth weight have shown a similar overcompensation after birth, resulting in lifelong obesity.

Frederick vom Saal, professor of biological sciences in MU's College of Arts and Science who carried out the research on the mice said "The babies are born with a low body weight and a metabolic system that's been programmed for starvation. This is called a 'thrifty phenotype,' a system designed to maximize the use of all food taken into the body. The problem comes when the baby isn't born into a world of starvation, but into a world of fast food restaurants and fatty foods."

More research must be undertaken to determine which chemicals cause this effect. According to von Saal, there are circa 55,000 manmade chemicals in the world, with 1,000 of these perhaps falling into the category of endocrine disrupting. These chemicals are to be found in common products, from plastic bottles and containers to pesticides and electronics.

Related link: You Are What You Eat