Women who have higher levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) during pregnancy may face significant weight gain and heart issues in the long run, suggests new research featured in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.
PFAS are synthetic chemicals commonly used in products like food packaging, cookware, clothing, drinking water, and various personal care items. These endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) can affect hormone function and lead to health complications, including obesity, infertility, and cancer.
According to Jordan Burdeau, Ph.D., the lead author of the study from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in Boston, “Our findings suggest that pregnancy is a critical time for PFAS exposure, which could lead to lasting weight gain and potentially harmful cardiometabolic effects for women.” Burdeau added that understanding the impact of PFAS on health during pregnancy could help enhance early prevention and detection of related health issues.
The research examined 547 women in their early 30s, analyzing their PFAS levels during pregnancy in relation to cardiometabolic health when they reached 50 years old. The study revealed that women with higher PFAS levels in early pregnancy were more likely to be heavier and have greater body fat at age 50 compared to those with lower levels, increasing their risk for obesity and cardiovascular problems later in life.
Burdeau emphasized the importance of reducing exposure to PFAS to decrease the likelihood of health problems in the future.
Additional contributors to the study included Briana Stephenson, Jorge Chavarro, Emma Preston, and Tamarra James-Todd from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health; Shruthi Mahalingaiah from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and Massachusetts General Hospital; Marie-France Hivert from Harvard Medical School and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute; Emily Oken from both Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and Harvard Medical School; Antonia Calafat from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Sheryl Rifas-Shiman from Harvard Medical School; and Ami Zota from Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health.
This study received funding from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, and the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.
