Exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals during pregnancy may increase the risk of obesity and hypertension in children, new research suggests. Endocrine disruptors (EDCs) are chemicals that are found almost everywhere in our environment. They can be found in cosmetics, petrol, hygiene and cleaning products, clothing, furniture, cans, food packaging and plastics.
A new global study by the Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal) in Barcelona has shown that prenatal exposure to endocrine disruptors is associated with poorer metabolic health in childhood, which in turn increases the risk of metabolic syndrome in adulthood. The term "metabolic syndrome" encompasses pathologies such as abdominal obesity, hypertension and insulin resistance, which together increase the likelihood of suffering from cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. The study was in the journal 'Jama Network Open' and adds to growing evidence about the dangers of these chemicals on health.
Previous studies have already shown a link between individual exposure to some endocrine disruptors during the prenatal phase and some of the factors that make up the metabolic syndrome, particularly obesity and blood pressure. But this time round, the team at set out to assess the combined impact of these substances on the totality of metabolic syndrome factors. The study involved 1,134 women and their children from six European countries: Spain, France, Greece, Lithuania, Norway and the UK.
Prenatal exposure to a total.
