Synopsis
A study reveals that maternal exposure to air pollution before conception can significantly affect childhood obesity risk. The research highlights critical environmental effects on health during the preconception phase, stressing the need for prospective parents to minimize pollution exposure.Key Takeaways
- Air pollution exposure before conception is linked to childhood obesity.
- The study involved 5,834 mother-child pairs from Shanghai.
- Increased PM2.5 and PM10 exposure correlates with higher BMI.
- Proactive measures to reduce pollution exposure are recommended for prospective parents.
- Further research is needed to confirm these findings.
New Delhi, Jan 16 (NationPress) Increased exposure to air pollution particulate matter (PM2.5, PM10) and Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) during the three months prior to conception can elevate the risk of childhood obesity for up to two years following birth, as revealed by a study published on Thursday.
Previous studies have established a connection between air pollution exposure during pregnancy and a variety of health issues in children, including respiratory disorders and a heightened likelihood of chronic conditions such as obesity and heart ailments.
However, this recent research conducted by an international group of scientists from the US and China specifically examined the preconception phase, which is generally understood as the three months leading up to the start of a pregnancy.
Environmental factors during this critical period can influence the health of sperm and eggs, which are nearing completion of their developmental stages, the team stated in their publication in the journal Environmental Research.
The study comprised 5,834 mother-child pairs, gathered from maternity clinics in Shanghai.
The results indicated that heightened exposure to PM2.5, PM10, and NO2 before conception is linked to an increase in BMI or BMIZ — a standardized score indicating how a child’s BMI stands in relation to peers of the same age and sex.
“These results suggest that the three months leading up to conception are crucial, and those intending to have children should consider measures to reduce their exposure to air pollution to lower their children’s obesity risk,” stated Jiawen Liao, postdoctoral research associate at the Keck School of Medicine, University of South California (USC).
The researchers determined that greater exposure to PM2.5 during the preconception period correlated with a 0.078 rise in child BMIZ by age two, while increased exposure to PM10 was associated with a 0.093 kg/m2 rise in BMI at the same age.
From six months onward, children exposed to higher levels of all three pollutants in the preconception phase exhibited accelerated growth in weight, BMI, and BMIZ.
“Although the increase is minor, due to the widespread nature of air pollution and universal exposure, the risk posed by air pollution on children’s obesity may be significant and can begin even before their mothers conceive,” noted Zhanghua Chen, assistant professor at the Keck School.
This study is observational, necessitating further research to assess the risk accurately. Nevertheless, the findings indicate that individuals can take proactive steps to minimize potential harm to themselves and their offspring, according to the researchers.
