An article from WebMD discusses recent research that has found a link between exposure to certain chemicals, known as “forever chemicals”, and low birth weight and obesity.

“Forever chemicals” is a term used to describe a group of about 15,000 chemicals known as PFAS (polyfluoroalkyl substances). These chemicals are used in a wide range of consumer products. The reason they’re called “forever chemicals” is because they don’t naturally break down in the environment. In fact, they’ve been found in all 30,000 umbilical cord blood samples in a collection of studies, indicating their widespread presence.

The research, published by Environmental Health Perspectives, suggests that exposure to these chemicals during pregnancy can lead to a lower birth weight in babies, which is then followed by obesity later in life. This pattern is similar to the effects seen with prenatal exposure to tobacco.

The study’s authors believe their research is more definitive than previous studies because it included a larger sample size, greater geographic coverage, a longer timespan, and a wider range of exposure levels.

One of the researchers, Joe Braun from Brown University, explained that babies born underweight due to PFAS exposure can catch up quickly in weight, but not in height. The weight gain tends to come sooner for kids who will not be a normal weight. This is similar to what happens with kids whose mothers smoked during pregnancy.

It’s important to note that PFAS have been linked to serious health issues, including a higher risk of cancer, thyroid disease, and birth defects. This new research adds to the growing body of evidence highlighting the potential health risks associated with these chemicals.