High levels of BPA linked to childhood obesity in white children
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(CBS News) New research reports a link between the bisphenol A (BPA) chemical used in many types of food packaging and childhood obesity. The study found the link existed regardless of how many calories kids were taking in through their diets.
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The study, published online Sept. 18 in the Journal of the American Medical Association, provides the first look at a nationally representative sample of U.S. children and teens, according to its authors. Lead researcher Dr. Leonardo Trasande, an associate professor in pediatrics and environmental medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center, told CBSNews.com that his study's findings lend support to efforts to get the chemical banned by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
BPA is a chemical used as protective linings in food packaging to prevent corrosion, and can leach into foods through packaging as well through tableware, food storage containers and plastic bottles. While BPA can be found in air and dust, according to Trasande, previous studies suggest 99 percent of BPA exposure in young children comes from their diets.
That's problematic because the chemicals have been tied to hormone-disrupting effects, including reproductive and neurological effects, and the researchers say children at a young age may be more prone to changes.The body excretes BPA through urination, but it can remain in fat deposits.
For the study, researchers examined the association between amounts of BPA in the bodies of more than 2,800 children and adolescents between ages 6 and 19 - as tested by urinary analysis - and body mass index (BMI), a measure for obesity. The children were part of the 2003-2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) that measures children's behaviors and how it relates to their health.
Based on results from urine tests, the researchers divided the study participants into four groups, from lowest BPA exposure to the highest. After mathematically controlling for other contributing factors such as television viewing habits, caloric intake and socioeconomic status, the researchers found that only 10 percent of kids exposed to the lowest levels of BPA were obese, compared to more than 22 percent of kids who were exposed to the most BPA - a two-fold increase. Differences between the other groups were not statistically significant.
Trasande added that further analysis revealed the effect was only seen in white children and adolescents and not in Hispanic and black children studied, for unknown reasons. He also said his research found obesity was not linked to similar "phenol" chemicals used in sunscreens and soaps, such as triclosan.
Trasande noted that the study does not prove cause and effect and it may be that some factor of obesity causes children to store more BPA rather than the opposite. He said further studies that track children and adolescents for long periods of time are needed to provide additional answers to the role of BPA in causing obesity.
Linda Birnbaum, director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, who was not involved in the new study, told the Associated Press that the study raises some interesting questions but it's impossible to say BPA causes childhood obesity.
"It's a hypothesis that needs further exploration," she said.
Trasande said that based on his findings, it's too early to make clinical recommendations on certain foods to avoid, but did say aluminum canned food is one of the biggest sources of BPA in the food supply and fresh vegetables should be part of a healthy diet.
"BPA does not discriminate by can," he said.
He did however add that the findings lend support to intervention strategies, such as banning BPA from the lining of food packaging.
This past March, the FDA rejected a petition calling for the ban of BPA in all food and drink packaging.
"While evidence from some studies have raised questions as to whether BPA may be associated with a variety of health effects, there remain serious questions about these studies, particularly as they relate to humans," the agency said in its response at the time.
In July the FDA decided to formally ban BPA from baby bottles and sippy cups, which many companies had already been phasing out from their products after reported health risks. At the time, the agency said it "continues to support the safety of BPA for use in products that hold food."
A spokesperson for the Food and Drug Administration told CBSNews.com in an email that "FDA sees substantial uncertainties with respect to the overall interpretation of many published studies, and, particularly, their potential implications for human health effects of BPA exposure." The agency added that Trasande's study "will be considered in the FDA's ongoing evaluation of the safety of BPA."
Popular soup-maker Campbell's previously announced it would phase out BPA from its canned goods, saying the cans were safe, but would use alternative materials amid the national debate over the chemical's safety. Other companies like Eden Foods have already been using BPA-free packaging for its foods.
The American Chemical Council disputed the study's findings.
"Attempts to link our national obesity problem to minute exposures to chemicals found in common, everyday products are a distraction from the real efforts underway to address this important national health issue," the council said in a statement. "Due to inherent, fundamental limitations in this study, it is incapable of establishing any meaningful connection between BPA and obesity."
The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences has more information on BPA.
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When my father changed jobs during the '60's and commenced being paid once a month, our family diet changed from fresh fruits and vegetables. My mother stayed home and worked with stockpiles of canned goods purchased during monthly shopping trips. The wide variety of McDonald's, pizza and other "fast food" outlets did not exist in Canada back then; the closest we came to "fast foods" was a fish and chip dinner occasionally. We didn't even go out to restaurants.
In less than 2 years after that job change, all 4 children went from normal to visibly overweight, and all of us have stayed that way throughout our entire adult lives regardless of dieting attempts.
I believe this study reflects how damaging to the body BPA actually is. I am left wondering what other harm this chemical has silently wrought.
MthfrSupport wall on Facebook by Sterling Hill
Mthfr 4 part video by Neil Rawlins on youtue
Conditions caused by MTHFR mutations by Ben Lynch ND
(there are 64+ conditions linked)
Fixing your methylation pathways can greatly help detoxification. Dr. Neil Rawlins explains in video that BPA is suspected of causing gene mutations like MTHFR and passing on to offspring. It's hereditary. I was diagnosed last yr.A blood test from a knowledgeable practitioner how understands can help. MOst MDs don't know about MTHFR yet and those that do, most prescribe the wrong form of Folate & B12
These devices are solid or braided stainless steel wires glued to the bottom 6 front teeth, on the back side of the teeth. Typically, the entire back side of the teeth are coated in the same resin glue used for fillings and sealants. A large surface area is used in order to make sure the bond strength is strong enough to survive daily chewing forces for many years. The more common version where the wire is glued to each tooth would have the largest surface area, and thus the most potential for BPA exposure if the resin contains that.
The permanent retainer is mounted in an area of the mouth with a high saliva flow and in a place where food would scrape against the plastic when chewed. Perhaps these factors might increase leaching. Also, more orthodontists are installing permanent retainers on upper front teeth as well.
So far I've seen news stories link BPA to dental sealants and fillings - it would seem permanent retainers could also be a significant source.
The biggest factor with obesity is the overwhelming amount of unhealthy and over processed food available to the public and the lack of knowledge of proper eating habits.
Many of these processed foods contain synthetic chemicals in much higher concentrations compared to BPA; which only leaches out of a container over time in very minuscule amounts.
Stop putting blame on environmental factors such as BPA, its been used since the 50's. The explosion in obesity, especially childhood, has only been recent.
Google:
Mthfr 4 part video by Dr. Neil Rawlins on youtube
MthfrSupport wall on Facebook
Conditions caused by MTHFR mutations
(64 + conditions linked, including multiple miscarriages, Autism, heart attacks, blood clots, DVT, Strokes, Down Syndrome, High homocysteine, mood disorders like Anxiety & depression, weight gain, inefficiency detoxing heavy metals etc.
and wikipedia too!