NEW YORK (Reuters Health) – Kids and teens that had higher levels of the chemical bisphenol A in their urine were more likely to be overweight or obese, in a new nationally-representative U.S. study.
The findings can’t prove BPA – which has been banned from baby bottles but is still found in aluminum cans and other types of packaging – causes kids to gain weight.
But previous studies have also suggested a link between the chemical, a type of synthetic estrogen, and body weight in adulthood. And researchers say earlier exposures could be more influential.
“Children are uniquely vulnerable to environmental chemicals,” said Dr. Leonardo Trasande from the New York University School of Medicine, who worked on the study.
