Pre-natal exposure to chemicals affects fat tissue in offspring

Pre-natal exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals has been associated with raised levels of childhood fat tissue, a precursor to obesity in a study published in the last week. 

Urine samples collected from 341 women during pregnancy were tested for a total of 25 chemicals including phenols, parabens, and phthalates. Urines tests from their offspring were also taken at 2 and 12 months to measure their levels of the chemicals. At three years the children were examined using skinfold thickness measures and bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) to test electrical flows through the body to analyse body fat and muscle.

Researchers found that exposure to Bisphenol S and three types of phthalates during the second trimester of pregnancy were positively associated with increased fat mass percentage in the children. Two of the phthalates tested, MEP and MBzP showed stronger associations with higher fat mass percentage in females. 

This study highlights that early life exposure during pregnancy to chemicals with a short chemical half-life can result in changes to fat mass in offspring known as adiposity growth, which is a precursor to obesity. It also highlights the need for further research in this area. 

What are these chemicals and where are they found?

Phenols, parabens, and phthalates are all groups of chemicals widely used as ingredients in thousands of everyday products such as plastics, toiletries, and fragrances to add fragrance, shelf life, or flexibility. Some of the chemicals tested in this study have been identified as endocrine disrupting chemicals due to their ability to interfere with the healthy functions of the endocrine system, which regulates key glands such as the thyroid gland. Exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals, or EDCs has been linked to a wide range of health conditions such as breast cancer, fertility, and child development. 

Fat tissue, known as adipose tissue, is where the body stores energy and any excess of calories, or anything it finds hard to get rid of such as chemicals. This chemical storage can create a body burden and place a strain on other bodily functions such as detoxification. So there are good health reasons to consider if you are concerned about the effects of exposure to chemicals in your everyday life, especially during pregnancy.

So is it possible to avoid them? 

Reducing your exposure to EDCs 

Thousands of everyday products rely on chemical ingredients which may have an impact on the endocrine system, so avoiding them entirely can be quite challenging. But there are some easy ways to reduce your contact with some of these chemicals. 

• Find out more about ingredients lurking in everyday products using the YUKA app. Its free and easy to use. 
• Avoid products using artificial fragrances such as candles, air fresheners, skincare, and perfumes – many contain  
• Many skincare, makeup, and toiletry products rely on chemical preservatives, so choose products with natural ingredients where possible.
• Avoid drinking from plastic bottles where microplastics can leach into water. Choose steel or glass drinks bottles instead.
• If you are concerned about contact with chemicals in your everyday life, it’s also worth switching as much of your diet as possible to organic food to reduce exposure to pesticides and herbicides.

Read the full study here. 

Image credit: Doro Guzenda

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