Study links BPAs and childhood obesity

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - It's an issue I-Team 8 has been investigating for more than five years; the health and safety of Bisphenoyl-A, or BPA. In a study published Tuesday in the Journal of the American Medical Association, BPA is linked to childhood obesity.

Animal studies have already linked BPA to a host of health problems. This time, however, the study looks at children and teens and the link to obesity.

BPA's are everywhere. The plastic hardening chemical was found in a 2003-2004 study to be in nearly 93 percent of Americans 6 and older. BPA is also used in canned foods to keep the metal from leaching into the food.

"Kids who had more BPA in their urine, tended to be more obese," is the result of the study says Dr. Tami Hannon, a pediatric endocrinologist at IU Health and Riley Hospital for Children.

Dr. Hannon says despite its findings, the study doesn't prove that BPA actually causes obesity in kids.

"You can't determine whether or not that's because of the BPA or whether or not they just eat more food that's packaged in BPA containing plastics," says Dr. Hannon. She also notes it could simply be that packaged foods tend to be high in calories.

"Most foods and drinks packaged in plastic are not good for us. They're usually snack foods or sugar containing beverages. And we know those are not good and they promote obesity," Dr. Hannon says.

Dr. Hannon believes the study does give more proof that food packaged in plastic is generally not good for your health. She offers a few suggestions for parents and their children.

"Follow a healthy diet. To avoid packaged foods as much as possible. Increase fruits and vegetables. To decrease or eliminate all sugar containing beverages. And to stay very active," Dr. Hannon says.

Dr. Hannon points out that there's nothing in the study that can say childhood obesity is caused by BPA. But, she says the kinds of foods children eat and the amount of exercise they get, do make a difference.

In July, the government banned the use of BPA'S in baby bottles and sippy cups. Many manufacturers had already abandoned the use of BPA in those products because of health concerns. But chemical makers maintain BPA is safe for all food and drink uses.