A new study suggests that exposure to air pollution during the three months before pregnancy may contribute to an increase in child body mass index (BMI) and obesity risk factors up to the age of two. The research, supported by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, was published in Environmental Research and highlights the importance of reducing air pollution exposure before conception.
While previous studies have shown that air pollution during pregnancy can lead to various health issues for children, including respiratory problems and a higher risk of chronic diseases like obesity and heart disease, fewer studies have focused on the preconception period. This study looks at the three months before pregnancy, a critical time when sperm and eggs undergo final stages of development and are especially sensitive to environmental factors.
In one of the largest studies on preconception environmental exposure, researchers from USC’s Keck School of Medicine, Duke University, and Fudan University in Shanghai examined 5,834 mother-child pairs in Shanghai. They found that higher levels of exposure to PM2.5, PM10, and NO2 (air pollutants primarily emitted by vehicles) before conception were linked to increased BMI and standardized BMI scores (BMIZ) in children by the age of two.
Dr. Jiawen Liao, a lead researcher on the study, emphasized the significance of these findings, stating, “The three months before conception are crucial. Those planning to have children should consider reducing their exposure to air pollution to lower their child’s risk of obesity.”
The research team used advanced machine learning models, combining satellite data, pollutant simulations, and weather patterns, to estimate daily pollution levels at each participant’s home address. They then tracked children’s weight and height every three months until age two, assessing how exposure to pollutants affected their growth, BMI, and BMI z-scores.
The results were clear: higher exposure to pollutants during the preconception period was associated with increased BMI and BMIZ in children. Specifically, higher levels of PM2.5 exposure led to a slight increase in BMIZ, while PM10 exposure correlated with a rise in BMI.
Dr. Zhanghua Chen, senior author of the study, noted that the changes in BMI and BMIZ might seem small, but their impact could be significant, especially given the widespread nature of air pollution. “Because air pollution is common and affects almost everyone, even small increases in BMI could have a large cumulative effect on childhood obesity rates,” he said.
Although the study was observational, meaning it cannot definitively prove a causal link, the findings offer important insights into the potential long-term effects of air pollution exposure. Researchers recommend that people, especially those planning a pregnancy, take measures to reduce their exposure to harmful air pollutants.
To reduce the risk of exposure to harmful air pollution, experts recommend wearing a mask or staying indoors during times of poor air quality, as well as using air purifiers at home. The study suggests that men who are planning to father a child may also benefit from similar precautions, as sperm health can also be influenced by environmental factors.
In the future, the researchers from the Keck School of Medicine plan to conduct another study in Southern California, monitoring preconception air pollution exposure and its effects on heart and metabolic health. They are also testing an intervention using indoor air purifiers to reduce the risk of health problems linked to air pollution.
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