Urine Bisphenol-A Level in Relation to Obesity and Overweight in School-Age Children

Abstract

Bisphenol-A (BPA) is a potential endocrine disruptor impacting metabolic processes and increasing the risk of obesity. To determine whether urine BPA level is associated with overweight/obesity in school-age children, we examined 1,326 students in grades 4–12 from three schools (one elementary, one middle, and one high school) in Shanghai. More than 98% of eligible students participated. Total urine BPA concentration was measured and anthropometric measures were taken by trained research staff. Information on risk factors for childhood obesity was collected for potential confounders. Age- and gender-specific weight greater than 90th percentile of the underlying population was the outcome measure. After adjustment for potential confounders, a higher urine BPA level (≥2 µg/L), at the level corresponding to the median urine BPA level in the U.S. population, was associated with more than two-fold increased risk of having weight >90th percentile among girls aged 9–12 (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 2.32, 95% confidence interval: 1.15–4.65). The association showed a dose-response relationship with increasing urine BPA level associated with further increased risk of overweight (p = 0.006 for trend test). Other anthropometric measures of obesity showed similar results. The same association was not observed among boys. This gender difference of BPA effect was consistent with findings from experimental studies and previous epidemiological studies. Our study suggests that BPA could be a potential new environmental obesogen. Widespread exposure to BPA in the human population may also be contributing to the worldwide obesity epidemic.

Urinary bisphenol A and obesity in adults: results from the Canadian Health Measures Survey

“…These findings are consistent with other large-scale cross-sectional studies of adults in the USA 11,12 and China, 13 as well as with studies in children. [30][31][32][33] Effect sizes in our study were slightly lower than those reported using the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 11 (OR [quartile 4 vs. 1] = 1.76) and were more similar with the study in Chinese adults 13 (OR [quartile 4 vs. 1] = 1.50). A possible explanation for the weaker associations, compared to US results, may be related to the substantially lower BPA concentrations in our study and the Chinese study.…”

The effect of bisphenol A on some oxidative stress parameters and acetylcholinesterase activity in the heart of male albino rats

“…Recently, Li et al (2013) reported that exposure to high BPA level may contribute to childhood obesity. The authors suggested that BPA could be a potential new environmental obesogen and that widespread exposure to BPA in the human population may contribute to the worldwide obesity epidemic.…”

Chemical and non-chemical stressors affecting childhood obesity: a systematic scoping review

“…Similar results were seen in other crosssectional studies where older children had higher BPA concentrations that correlated to an increased risk of being overweight/ obese, specifically in females. 142,143 A cross-sectional study examining NHANES data (2003)(2004)(2005)(2006)(2007)(2008) found that urinary BPA concentrations were significantly associated with obesity in children and adolescents after controlling for several cofactors. 6 Another study using the NHANES data reported that non-Hispanic white boys were more likely to be overweight/obese, independent of other major risk factors, as a result of exposure to BPA.…”

“…144 To support these associations, more research is needed using longitudinal studies to confirm the findings observed in the available cross-sectional studies. 6,[142][143][144] Phthalates are a group of man-made chemicals widely used in industrial and consumer product applications. 8,145,146 Exposure to phthalates can occur from food sources, plastic containers, flooring materials and wall coverings, medical devices, personal care products, lacquers, varnishes, and coatings.…”