NEW DELHI New Delhi: Exposure to particulate air pollution (PM2.5, PM10) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) three months before conception increases the risk of obesity in children up to two years of birth, according to a study conducted on Thursday. Previous research has linked exposure to air pollution during pregnancy to a wide range of health problems in children, including respiratory problems and a greater risk of chronic diseases such as obesity and cardiovascular problems.
But, the new study by an international team of researchers from the US and China focused on the period before conception – usually defined as three months before pregnancy begins. This time frame Environmental exposures during pregnancy can affect the health of sperm and eggs, which are in their final stages of development, the team said in a paper published in the journal Environmental Research. The study included 5,834 women recruited from maternity clinics in Shanghai. Mother-child pairs were included.
The findings showed that exposure to PM2.5, PM10 and NO2 before pregnancy could increase BMI or BMIZ – a standardized score that shows how a baby's BMI compares to others of the same age and sex.
“These findings imply that the three months before conception are critical, and that people who plan to have children should take measures to reduce exposure to air pollution to reduce their children's risk of obesity. should be considered,” said Jiawen Liao, postdoctoral research associate at the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California (USC). The researchers found that exposure to PM2.5 during the period before conception Higher levels were associated with a 0.078 increase in child BMIZ at two years of age, while higher levels of PM10 exposure were associated with a 0.093 kg/m2 increase in BMI at two years of age.
From six months onwards, children exposed to all three pollutants had higher weight, BMI and BMIZ growth rates. “Although the magnitude is small, but since air pollution is widespread and every “Nobody is exposed to it, so children's risk of obesity from exposure to air pollution may be quite high, and it may start even before their mothers get pregnant.”
This study is based on observation and more research is needed to determine the risk. Yet the findings suggest there are steps people can take now to reduce potential harm to themselves and their children, the researchers said.
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