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Chemical and non-chemical s tressors affecting childhood obesity: a state-of-the-science-review
Citation:
Lichtveld, K., K. Thomas, AND N. Tulve. Chemical and non-chemical s tressors affecting childhood obesity: a state-of-the-science-review. Presented at 35th Annual indrity Heal! Conference, Chapel Hill, NC, February 28, 2014.
Impact/Purpose:
The National Exposure Research Laboratory (NERL) Human Exposure and Atmospheric Sciences Division (HEASD) conducts research in support of EPA mission to protect human health and the environment. HEASD research program supports Goal 1 (Clean Air) and Goal 4 (Healthy People) of EPA strategic plan. More specifically, our division conducts research to characterize the movement of pollutants from the source to contact with humans. Our multidisciplinary research program produces Methods, Measurements, and Models to identify relationships between and characterize processes that link source emissions, environmental concentrations, human exposures, and target-tissue dose. The impact of these tools is improved regulatory programs and policies for EPA.
Description:
Childhood obesity has tripled in the last three decades and now affects 17% of children in the United States (US). In 2010, the percentage of obese children in the US was nearly 18% for both 6-11 and 12-19 years of age. Recent evidence in the literature suggests that exposure to selected environmental chemicals may impact obesity. These included chemicals that change or damage living organisms or ecosystems and are released into the environment by waste, emissions, pesticides, or other formulated compounds like pharmaceuticals. These chemical stressors are found in and around children’s environments (home, parks, schools, etc.), the foods they may consume, food storage containers, as well as intrauterine exposures. These chemicals have the opportunity to inappropriately stimulate the development of adipose tissue, storage of fat in existing cells, disruption of the energy- balance controlling systems, alteration of tissue sensitivity to some neurotransmitters, or disturbance of the activity of the autonomous nervous system. Socioeconomic status, ethnicity, and the built environment may also impact obesity. Researchers have shown that predominantly low income Hispanic and African American neighborhoods have a higher prevalence of obesity resulting from limited access to healthy food choices and opportunities for physical exercise. Recent studies have also shown that poor quality food outlets in close proximity to neighborhoods or schools increased the likelihood of poor quality food purchases. Obstacles that impede access to healthy living choices might include lack of sidewalks, limited green space parks and recreation centers, and an unsafe environment. Typically, these non-chemical stressors are known to impact the onset of obesity by increased caloric intake of unhealthy foods, decreased physical activity, poor sleep habits, and increased stress.While much research has focused on individual stressors impacting obesity, little research has emphasized the complex interactions of numerous chemical and non-chemical stressors affecting a child’s health and well-being.