Does prenatal exposure to environmental pollutant increase risk of obesity?

Exposure to ozone during pregnancy may increase the risk of rapid weight gain and obesity in children aged 2 years and younger.

In a study, published in Eco-Environment and Health, investigators examined the growth of nearly 5,000 children whose mothers participated in the Shanghai Maternal-Child Pairs Cohort.

The investigators found that every 10 microgram per cubic meter increase in prenatal ozone exposure was associated with an increased risk of experiencing overweight and obesity, accelerated body mass index growth and decelerated length growth.

The investigators emphasized that the prenatal environment may play a critical role in influencing children’s growth and health outcomes.

Read more: Eco-Environment and Health

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