BPA Exposure Linked To Hyperactivity In Girls

Girls exposed to Bisphenol A (BPA) before birth are more likely to develop hyperactivity and have a leaner body mass, a new study finds.

BPA is a chemical found in the lining of food cans and cash register receipts. It once was in many hard plastic bottles, including baby bottles, but many companies have removed it as concerns about exposure have come to light in recent years.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder-Causes-Symptoms-Diagnosis-Treatment-FAQ
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurobiological disorder that affects normal behavior and impairs the ability to concentrate.

These latest findings from University of Michigan School of Public Health seem to contradict previous studies on BPA that found the chemical to be a factor in obesity, the Journal of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology reports.

But Dana Dolinoy, assistant professor of environmental health sciences and study co-author, says research shows that many factors impact how the body reacts to the chemical, according to a Michigan statement.

"Our hypothesis going into this study was that BPA would act as an obesogenic (obesity promoting) agent. And there is some preliminary evidence that it does," Dolinoy said.

Body Mass Index
The BMI calculator helps you assess your weight indicating if it is normal or if you are underweight or overweight, based on your height.

"But there are differences in exposure, duration and when you actually measure the individual.

"Recent evidence in humans only looks at one time point. What we're really interested in is BPA exposure during early development, and how that affects health throughout life. So those are two very different questions."

BPA or BPS, Both Could Spell Trouble
Manufacturers of water bottles, food containers, and baby products had a big problem a few years ago.

Researchers exposed mothers to three different levels of BPA in the diet then followed the offspring through adulthood at three, six and nine months of age. The average lifespan of a mouse is two years, so by three months they are young adults.

"I think the most striking result we saw was the increased activity in these animals," said Olivia Anderson, doctoral student in Michigan environmental health sciences, who led the study.

BPA Exposure Raises Heart and Kidney Disease Risk in Children
Exposure to BPA which is widely used in plastic bottles and in aluminum cans have been found to raise the risk of heart and kidney disease risk in children and adolescents.

As to why only females exhibited the excessive activity and lean bodies, Dolinoy said it bears more study, but because BPA is known to impact estrogen and thyroid hormone, most likely it is affecting these natural hormones in the females.

Source-IANS