Written by: Belinda Motaze, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
Health concerns such as diabetes and obesity are on the rise in children 1, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic, with recent studies 2 indicating that the incidence of type 2 diabetes in children has doubled through the pandemic. Two main ways to prevent obesity and diabetes are to look at the foods you feed your child and how active they are, but there are other things that impact weight.
Some things that can impact a child’s health include environmental factors. This article looks at a type of chemical you may not have heard of before - obesogens. Read on to learn what they are, where they are found, what they can do to children and how to best protect your child.
Obesity among children
Obesity is a prevalent concern among adults and children alike. According to a 2012 journal article, almost 17%3 of children aged 2-19 in the United States were obese. The CDC says that obesity now affects 1 in 54 children in the United States. This number is getting higher every year. Obesity is linked to a number of health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and even some types of cancer5.
What are obesogens?
But is it just diet and exercise that can tackle obesity, or is there maybe something you’re missing? Obesogens are a type of artificial chemical known as an endocrine disrupting chemical (EDC)6. This means that they can interfere with a person’s hormones7 and bodily functions, and can promote weight gain.
They may do this by directly impacting the development (or storage) of fat cells in the body, leading to a higher number of fat cells accumulating. They can also impact appetite8 or a person’s metabolism.9 They have also been linked to type 2 diabetes, due to their impact on a person’s insulin resistance.
Some of the chemicals that can do this include:
Phytoestrogens - found in some foods, such as soybeans, lentils, and chickpeas.
Bisphenol A (BPA) - these are used in plastics such as food and drink containers.
Phthalates - an ingredient located in cosmetics, medicines, and even paint.
Parabens - these preservatives can be found in food, hair care products, and medicine
Where are obesogens found?
Obesogens are found in the environment. They are in more places than you might think. They can be found in a lot of products that you may use in your day to day life, and potentially around your children, such as in some10:
detergents
flame retardants
household cleaning products
personal care products
pesticides/herbicides
plastics
Children may come into contact with obesogens orally, via inhaling particles, or by having them absorbed through the skin, like in the case of hygiene products. Because children are more likely than adults to put things into their mouths, it is important to ensure that homes are as dust free as possible to prevent them from ingesting obesogens.
How can they impact children?
The people most susceptible to the negative effects of obesogens are fetuses and newborn babies. This is because this time is when they develop the mechanisms by which their bodies regulate and control their weight. For example, the process of energy homeostasis11.
These processes are fully developed in adults but not yet in young children. Therefore, it is important to try to protect your child from the effects of obesogens where possible.
Tips to lower the risk to your child
Keeping away from obesogens entirely is pretty much impossible. However, there are many things that you can do to minimize the risk of obesogens affecting your child.
Some ideas of what you can do include:
Choose organic produce wherever possible - many herbicides and pesticides contain obesogens.
Swap non-stick pans for cast iron or stainless steel ones.
Never microwave plastics as this can cause the chemicals to leach into the food or drink inside the container.
Choosing organic and natural cosmetics rather than those with additives that may include obesogens.
Vacuum often using a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filter to minimize the amount of air pollution that enters the home.
Try to eat fewer canned foods, instead opting for frozen or fresh.
Make sure to dust frequently to avoid a build-up of obesogens in the home. Use a damp cloth to do this as dry cloths may just disturb the dust into the air, where you and your child may breathe it in.
Use glass or aluminum containers for your food and drinks, rather than plastics.
Read the ingredients list on the packaging of the things you bring into your home, whether that be snacks or cleaning supplies.
Obesogens don’t directly cause obesity, but many animal and epidemiological studies have found evidence to suggest that they may be linked to processes in the body that can cause weight gain. More research is needed to understand the effects of obesogens fully, but as the initial evidence suggests they can cause issues, it may be worth avoiding them where possible.
Belinda Motaze is a certified health coach focused on working with children and their families to help them get started on a path to lifetime wellness. Rather than simply tackling the symptoms of illnesses, Belinda partners with families to ensure that they make changes that will last, and that address the root cause of any concerns they may have.
For more information and to find out if the customizable signature program is the right fit for your child and family, book a complimentary discovery call12 with Belinda today.
Visit my website for more info!
Belinda Motaze, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Belinda Motaze is a Certified Health Coach and an Environmental Health Coach focused on working with children and their families to help them get started on a path to lifetime wellness. Rather than simply tackling the symptoms of illnesses, Belinda partners with families to ensure that they make changes that will last, and that address the root cause of any concerns they may have. Besides work, Belinda loves enjoying time with her children and family who are also her biggest inspiration at work and in life.
References:
1 https://www.annualreviews.org/doi/10.1146/annurev-pharmtox-010818-0213042 2 https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/953816?
3 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3279464/
4 https://www.cdc.gov/obesity/childhood/index.html
5 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5819889/
6 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2726844/
7 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4851574/
8 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5359373/
9 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780123786128001967
10 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5359373/
11 https://www.scielo.br/j/aem/a/qgMwg5m6HLpDSPDSfZrHXqQ/?format=html&lang=en
12 https://www.belindamotaze.com/schedule-consultation/
