Urinary bisphenol A (BPA) concentration associates with obesity and insulin resistance

Bisphenol A (BPA) is one of the world's highest-volume chemicals in use today. Previous studies have suggested BPA disturbs body weight regulation and promotes obesity and insulin resistance. But epidemiological data in humans were limited.

Our objective was to determine whether BPA associates with obesity and insulin resistance.

This cross-sectional study included 3390 adults aged 40 yr or older, in Songnan Community, Baoshan District, Shanghai, China.

Questionnaire, clinical and biochemical measurements, and urinary BPA concentration were determined. Generalized overweight was defined as body mass index (BMI) of 24 to less than 28 kg/m(2) and obesity was defined as BMI of 28 kg/m(2) or higher. Abdominal obesity was defined as waist circumference at least 90 cm for men and at least 85 cm for women. Insulin resistance was defined as the index of homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance higher than 2.50.

The participants in the highest quartile of BPA had the highest prevalence of generalized obesity [odds ratio (OR) = 1.50; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.15-1.97], abdominal obesity (OR = 1.28; 95% CI = 1.03-1.60), and insulin resistance (OR = 1.37; 95% CI = 1.06-1.77). In participants with BMI under 24 kg/m(2), compared with the lowest quartile, the highest quartile of BPA increased the prevalence of insulin resistance by 94% (OR = 1.94; 95% CI = 1.20-3.14), but this association was not observed in those with BMI of 24 kg/m(2) or higher.

BPA was positively associated with generalized obesity, abdominal obesity, and insulin resistance in middle-aged and elderly Chinese adults.