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Phthalate and phthalate replacement concentrations in relationship to adiposity in a multi-racial cohort of children
Kelly J Hunt1, Pamela L Ferguson2, Michael S Bloom3
1Department of Public Health Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA. huntke@musc.edu.
Insights
Higher urinary DINCH levels were linked to lower BMI z-scores and reduced body fat in children. This study highlights the importance of understanding chemical exposures like DINCH and their connection to childhood obesity.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Toxicology
Background:
- Phthalates and their replacements are prevalent in children's products, leading to potential bioavailability.
- Experimental data suggests obesogenic properties of these chemicals, but epidemiological evidence is inconsistent.
- Childhood obesity is a significant public health concern with complex contributing factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between exposure to phthalates, phthalate replacements, and markers of adiposity and obesity in children.
- To analyze urinary metabolites of specific phthalates and their replacements in relation to body composition.
- To contribute to understanding the role of ubiquitous chemical exposures in childhood obesity.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 630 diverse children aged 4-8 years.
- Measurement of urinary metabolites for DINCH, DEHTP, low molecular weight (LMW) phthalates, and high molecular weight (HMW) phthalates.
- Assessment of weight, height, waist circumference, and % body fat, with statistical analysis using adjusted linear regression models.
Main Results:
- Elevated urinary DINCH levels were inversely associated with BMI z-score, waist circumference z-score, and % body fat.
- A one-unit increase in log-transformed DINCH was linked to a decrease in BMI z-score by 0.106, waist circumference z-score by 0.119, and % body fat by 0.012.
- No significant associations were found between LMW and HMW phthalate metabolite levels and adiposity/obesity markers.
Conclusions:
- An inverse association exists between urinary DINCH levels and childhood adiposity markers, including BMI z-score, waist circumference z-score, and % body fat.
- DINCH, a common non-phthalate plasticizer, warrants further attention due to its potential role in child adiposity.
- Further research into the sources and ubiquitous nature of chemical exposures like DINCH is crucial for understanding their impact on obesity.
Background/Objective:
Phthalates and phthalate replacements are used in multiple everyday products, making many of them bioavailable to children. Experimental studies suggest that phthalates and their replacements may be obesogenic, however, epidemiologic studies remain inconsistent. Therefore, our objective was to examine the association between phthalates, phthalate replacements and childhood adiposity/obesity markers in children.
Subjects/Methods:
A cross-sectional study was conducted in 630 racial/ethnically diverse children ages 4-8 years. Urinary oxidative metabolites of DINCH and DEHTP, three low molecular weight (LMW) phthalates, and eleven high molecular weight (HMW) phthalates were measured. Weight, height, waist circumference and % body fat were measured. Composite molar sum groups (nmol/ml) were natural log-transformed. Linear regression models adjusted for urine specific gravity, sex, age, race-ethnicity, birthweight, breastfeeding, reported activity level, mother's education and pre-pregnancy BMI.
Results:
All children had LMW and HMW phthalate metabolites and 88% had DINCH levels above the limit of detection. One unit higher in the log of DINCH was associated with 0.106 units lower BMI z-score [β = -0.106 (95% CI: -0.181, -0.031)], 0.119 units lower waist circumference z-score [β = -0.119 (95% CI: -0.189, -0.050)], and 0.012 units lower percent body fat [β = -0.012 (95% CI: -0.019, -0.005)]. LMW and HMW group values were not associated with adiposity/obesity.
Conclusions:
We report an inverse association between child urinary DINCH levels, a non-phthalate plasticizer that has replaced DEHP in several applications, and BMI z-score, waist circumference z-score and % body fat in children. Few prior studies of phthalates and their replacements in children have been conducted in diverse populations. Moreover, DINCH has not received a great deal of attention or regulation, but it is a common exposure. In summary, understanding the ubiquitous nature of these chemical exposures and ultimately their sources will contribute to our understanding of their relationship with obesity.
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