Exposure to Chemicals in Daily Use Products linked to Obesity, Insulin Resistance in Children

Exposure to some of the common chemicals used in manufacturing plastic products can place children at higher risks of obesity and diabetes, according to two new studies released Monday.

The studies published online Aug. 19 in Pediatrics highlighted the hidden risks of two harmful chemicals- bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates.

The first study was conducted by a team of researchers from the University of Michigan.

To determine the association between BPA exposure and obesity, lead author of the study, Donna Eng and colleagues tested urine samples collected from 3,300 participants, aged between six and 18. Children with higher levels of urinary BPA were highly obese and had an abnormal waistline.

"Studies in adults had shown an association between high BPA levels and obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease, but little was known about its effects in children," Eng, said in a news release.

BPA is a chemical found in many plastic bottles and beverage cans. It has been linked to a series of health issues such as cancer, neurological issues, reproductive problems, childhood asthma, birth defects and heart or kidney diseases in children. They could also cause miscarriages.

Nearly 5 or 6 million pounds of bisphenol is produced every year worldwide, according to a report from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Exposure to the chemical occurs through ingestion of food in stored the BPA containing materials. Direct oral contact or hand-to-mouth contact with the material put little kids at a risk of BPA exposure.

In the second study, Dr. Leonardo Trasande, an associate professor of pediatrics and environmental medicine at the NYU School of Medicine and colleagues analyzed the role of phthalates in insulin resistance among children. For the study, they included 766 children aged between 12 and 19.  All the children were part of the 2003-2008 NHANES data.

Researchers determined exposure to phthalates by testing urine. In addition, they interviewed the participants and recorded details like ethnicity and lifestyle. Researchers found that a chemical known as DEHP or (Di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate) was causing insulin resistance in the children, thus placing them at higher risks of developing diabetes.

The results remained unchanged even after other diabetes-causing factors were taken into consideration.

"There are lab studies suggesting these chemicals can influence how our bodies respond to glucose," Trasande told Health Day. "In particular, they are thought to influence genes that regulate release of insulin. There are other potential mechanisms, but that is the main mechanism of concern."

Phthalates are toxic chemicals linked to many health problems like birth defects (cleft palate), cancer, behavioral problems (ADHD), asthma and preterm birth.

Phthalates are widely used in some toys (including teethers), children's school products, decorating and building products, blood bags, cosmetics, personal care products, insecticides and some oral pills.

It's an allergen and can block or mimic hormones. It can also harm the reproductive system (decreased sperm count, damaged sperm) and normal development of a fetus or child.