The term ‘metabolic syndrome’ (MetS) includes a range of factors, like abdominal obesity, hypertension, and insulin resistance, that together elevate the risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. According to a recent study, being exposed to a mix of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) during pregnancy is linked to poorer metabolic health in children, which could lead to a higher chance of developing metabolic syndrome in adulthood.The Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), supported by the “la Caixa” Foundation, conducted research on the impact of environmental pollutants called endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) on childhood growth and metabolic health. The study, published in JAMA Network Open, found that exposure to EDCs might increase the risk of metabolic syndrome later in life. EDCs are substances that interfere with hormone functioning, growth, energy balance, and metabolism and are difficult to avoid due to their widespread presence in the environment. Previous studies have also demonstrated a connection between individual exposure to these compounds and various health issues.The ATHLETE project sought to evaluate the effects of prenatal exposure and how it relates to metabolic syndrome, specifically regarding obesity and blood pressure. The study included 1,134 mothers and children from six European countries, who were part of the HELIX cohort. Blood and urine samples were collected from the mothers during pregnancy or from the umbilical cord to analyze exposure to 45 endocrine disruptors.The study involved tracking children from birth to the age of 6-11 for various health factors. The data collected included waist circumference, blood pressure, cholesterol, triglycerides, and insulin levels. This data was then used to create a risk index for metabolic syndrome. The statistical analysis showed that a combination of metals, perfluoroalkylated and polyfluoroalkylated substances (PFAS), organochlorine pesticides, and flame retardants (or PBDEs) were linked to a higher risk of metabolic syndrome.The risk of developing metabolic syndrome is increased by exposure to metals, particularly mercury from consuming large fish. PFASs, widely used in pesticides, paints, non-stick pans, and fast food packaging, are known as “forever chemicals” due to their persistence. Organochlorine pesticides, banned in Europe in the 1970s, are also still widely present in the environment, leading to ongoing exposure.ts according to sex
“The study also found that girls showed stronger connections between mixtures of PFASs and PCBs, while boys were more affected by exposure to parabens. Because endocrine disruptors can impact sex hormone levels, these gender differences are not surprising,” explains Nuria Güil Oumrait, ISGlobal researcher and lead author of the study.
“Our findings indicate that exposure to common combinations of endocrine disruptors during pregnancy could be linked to negative metabolic health outcomes in both boys and girls. This correlation may play a role in the current rise inMartine Vrijheid, co-director of ISGlobal’s Environment and Health over the Lifespan programme and senior author of the study, concludes that the prevalence of lifetime metabolic syndrome currently affects 1/4 of the adult population, with upward trends evident even among young people.
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