Age and sex differences in childhood and adulthood obesity association with phthalates: analyses of NHANES 2007-2010.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Exposure to environmental chemicals may play a role in the development of obesity. Evidence suggests phthalate exposure may be associated with obesity in children and adults.

OBJECTIVE:

To examine the association of ten urinary phthalate metabolites mono-n-butyl phthalate (MnBP), mono-ethyl phthalate (MEP), mono-isobutyl phthalate (MiBP), mono-2-ethyl-5-carboxypentyl phthalate (MECPP), mono-2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl phthalate (MEHHP), mono-(2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl) phthalate (MEOHP), mono-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (MEHP), mono-benzyl phthalate (MBzP), mono-(carboxylnonyl) phthalate (MCNP), and mono-(carboxyoctyl) phthalate (MCOP) grouped by molecular weight of their parent compounds with body weight outcomes in children, adolescent and adult participants in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2007-2010.

METHODS:

We performed multinomial logistic regression to analyze the association between obesity and urinary phthalate metabolite concentrations in children and adolescents and adults.

RESULTS:

Low molecular weight (LMW) phthalate metabolites (MnBP, MEP and MiBP) are significantly (p<0.05) associated with higher odds for obesity in male children and adolescents. High molecular weight (HMW) phthalate metabolites (MECPP, MEHHP, MEOHP, MEHP, MBzP, MCNP, and MCOP) and di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) metabolites (MEHHP, MEOHP, MEHP and MECPP) are significantly (p<0.05) associated with higher OR for obesity in all adults. Additionally, DEHP metabolites are significantly associated with obesity in all female adults; whereas DEHP and HMW metabolites are significantly associated with OR for obesity in males 60 years and older.

CONCLUSIONS:

We found age and sex differences in the association between urinary phthalate metabolite concentrations and body weight outcomes. Reverse causation cannot be excluded since overweight and obese people will have more fat mass, they may store more phthalates, thus leading to higher excretion concentrations.

• Authors: Melanie C Buser, H Edward Murray, Franco Scinicariello
• Journal: International journal of hygiene and environmental health (Int J Hyg Environ Health) Vol. 217 Issue 6 Pg. 687-94 (Jul 2014) ISSN: 1618-131X [Electronic] Germany
• PMID: 24657244 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S., Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)
• Copyright: Published by Elsevier GmbH.

Chemical References

• Environmental Pollutants
• Phthalic Acids
• phthalic acid

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Age Factors
• Child
• Environmental Exposure (adverse effects, analysis)
• Environmental Pollutants (adverse effects, urine)
• Female
• Humans
• Logistic Models
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Molecular Weight
• Nutrition Surveys
• Obesity (etiology, urine)
• Pediatric Obesity (etiology, urine)
• Phthalic Acids (adverse effects, metabolism, urine)
• Sex Factors
• Young Adult