Exposure to PFAS During Pregnancy Could Increase Risk of Obesity, Heart Disease Later in Life

Pregnant women exposed to higher levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) may face increased risks of obesity and heart disease later in life, according to a recent study published in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. PFAS, manmade chemicals commonly found in everyday items such as food packaging, cookware, and drinking water, are known endocrine disruptors that can interfere with hormonal functions and contribute to various health issues, including obesity, infertility, and cancer.

The study, led by researchers from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, focused on 547 pregnant women in their early 30s. The research compared PFAS levels in the participants during pregnancy with their cardiometabolic health outcomes at age 50. The findings revealed that women with higher PFAS levels during early pregnancy had greater body weight and more body fat at 50, putting them at higher risk for obesity and heart disease.

The study’s first author, Jordan Burdeau, PhD, emphasized that pregnancy may be a particularly vulnerable period for PFAS exposure, potentially leading to long-term adverse health outcomes.

“Our study supports the idea that pregnancy may be a sensitive period of PFAS exposure as it may be associated with long-term weight gain and subsequent adverse cardiometabolic health outcomes in women,” said Dr. Burdeau, who works at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in Boston. “Our findings may improve understanding of the effects of PFAS on cardiometabolic health during pregnancy, which in turn may improve early prevention or detection of adverse cardiometabolic health outcomes in women.”

The research suggests that limiting PFAS exposure during pregnancy could reduce the risk of developing health problems later in life. The findings underscore that, as integrative practitioners, it's essential to consider environmental factors like PFAS exposure when addressing the long-term health of women, especially during critical periods such as pregnancy.