Bisphenol A and chronic disease risk factors in US children

Pediatrics. 2013 Sep;132(3):e637-45. doi: 10.1542/peds.2013-0106. Epub 2013 Aug 19.

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the relationship between urinary bisphenol A (BPA) levels and measures of adiposity and chronic disease risk factors for a nationally representative US pediatric sample.

Methods: We used the NHANES 2003-2010 to evaluate cross-sectional associations between urinary BPA and multiple measures of adiposity, cholesterol, insulin, and glucose for children aged 6 to 18 years, adjusting for relevant covariates (eg, demographics, urine creatinine, tobacco exposure, and soda consumption).

Results: We found a higher odds of obesity (BMI ≥95th percentile) with increasing quartiles of BPA for quartiles 2 vs 1 (odds ratio [OR] 1.74, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.17-2.60, P = .008), 3 vs 1 (OR 1.64, 95% CI 1.09-2.47, P = .02), and 4 vs 1 (OR 2.01, 95% CI 1.36-2.98, P = .001). We also found a higher odds of having an abnormal waist circumference-to-height ratio (quartiles 2 vs 1 [OR 1.37, 95% CI 0.98-1.93, P = .07], 3 vs 1 [OR 1.41, 95% CI 1.07-1.87, P = .02], and 4 vs 1 [OR 1.55, 95% CI 1.12-2.15, P = .01]). We did not find significant associations of BPA with any other chronic disease risk factors.

Conclusions: Higher levels of urinary BPA were associated with a higher odds of obesity (BMI >95%) and abnormal waist circumference-to-height ratio. Longitudinal analyses are needed to elucidate temporal relationships between BPA exposure and the development of obesity and chronic disease risk factors in children.

Keywords: NHANES; bisphenol A; children; endocrine disrupting chemical; obesity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Benzhydryl Compounds / adverse effects*
  • Benzhydryl Compounds / urine
  • Body Mass Index
  • Child
  • Chronic Disease / epidemiology*
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Environmental Pollutants / adverse effects*
  • Environmental Pollutants / urine
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Nutrition Surveys
  • Obesity / chemically induced*
  • Obesity / epidemiology*
  • Phenols / adverse effects*
  • Phenols / urine
  • Risk Factors
  • United States
  • Waist Circumference

Substances

  • Benzhydryl Compounds
  • Environmental Pollutants
  • Phenols
  • bisphenol A