Obesity Discussion Forums

[SheaGrl]

Youth Obesity Rates Linked To Plastic?

Exposure to the chemicals found in plastic have been raising health concerns for over a decade. Adding fuel to the fire is a new study that linked phthalates, used to make plastic pliable, to childhood obesity.

The East Harlem study found that the phthalates are endocrine disrupters. This is alarming because numerous studies have already shown that exposing mice to endocrine disrupters have caused them to be more obese.

The researchers measured the exposure to phthalates- which are absorbed by the body- in about 400 girls aged 9-11 by examining their urine. Dr. Philip J. Landrigan, a professor of pediatrics at Mount Sinai and one of the lead researchers of the study found that, “The heaviest girls have the highest levels of phthalates metabolites in their urine. It goes up as the children get heavier, but it’s most evident in the heaviest kids.”

[Obesity Discussion]

Wow that's crazy! I wonder if heat exasperates the issue? I remember seeing a study of warm temperatures accelerating the rate of which cancer causing agents leaked into food/drink.

[SheaGrl]

I'm sure. It is so hot where I live, water bottles get heated FAST!! If I leave a water bottle in my car, I will have boiling water by the time I get back. You are also not supposed to microwave anything with plastic wrap on top.

[justme]

It's not just heat depending on the plastic

BPA is just plain nasty and yhou will fiond it in a lot of kids products

Bisphenol A


But then Red Dye 40 is incredibly nasty too and that is also found in a lot of foods and in a LOT of kids foods, even if the foods are not red.

Aesthetics, profits and convenience tend to outweigh health issues in the US.

[Obesity Discussion]

Originally Posted by justme

It's not just heat depending on the plastic

BPA is just plain nasty and yhou will fiond it in a lot of kids products

Bisphenol A


But then Red Dye 40 is incredibly nasty too and that is also found in a lot of foods and in a LOT of kids foods, even if the foods are not red.

Aesthetics, profits and convenience tend to outweigh health issues in the US.

That's a tough one....Bisphenol as far as I've seen the only studies showing negative affects were in lab rats, though they were weren't good ones. Neurological and endocrine issues were the two biggies if I remember right. I haven't reaad much about Red Dye 40....I'll have to check into that, thanks for the heads up!

[SheaGrl]

Originally Posted by justme

It's not just heat depending on the plastic

BPA is just plain nasty and yhou will fiond it in a lot of kids products

Bisphenol A


But then Red Dye 40 is incredibly nasty too and that is also found in a lot of foods and in a LOT of kids foods, even if the foods are not red.

Aesthetics, profits and convenience tend to outweigh health issues in the US.

Yes! I just got one of those refillable, hard plastic water bottles, and it is clearly marked, "BPA FREE."

So maybe suppliers are actually listening to consumer demands??

[justme]

Originally Posted by Obesity Discussion

That's a tough one....Bisphenol as far as I've seen the only studies showing negative affects were in lab rats, though they were weren't good ones. Neurological and endocrine issues were the two biggies if I remember right. I haven't reaad much about Red Dye 40....I'll have to check into that, thanks for the heads up!

Red Dye 40 in children has been linked to behavior disorders and allergic reactions; my youngest is allergic to it. Give her anything with red dye and she will get a horrible red rash that itches horribly and her temp goes up. At least now she is good at not eating anything red without asking but there are a lot of non-red foods that have red dye 40 and to make it worse a lot of children’s medications have it too. Even things you would give here to help with the itching like children’s Benadryl

Foods can be tricky for example she loves yogurt and likes Yoplait but all Yoplait except original have red dye 40 and most are not red

It is not good for her so I can’t think it is good for anyone else so I try and not eat anything with red dye myself. Also I do believe it has been outlawed in Europe



Food Dye Intolerance & Allergy

What Is Red Dye Allergy?

There is a lot out there on Red Dye

[Obesity Discussion]

Originally Posted by justme

Red Dye 40 in children has been linked to behavior disorders and allergic reactions; my youngest is allergic to it. Give her anything with red dye and she will get a horrible red rash that itches horribly and her temp goes up. At least now she is good at not eating anything red without asking but there are a lot of non-red foods that have red dye 40 and to make it worse a lot of children’s medications have it too. Even things you would give here to help with the itching like children’s Benadryl

Foods can be tricky for example she loves yogurt and likes Yoplait but all Yoplait except original have red dye 40 and most are not red

It is not good for her so I can’t think it is good for anyone else so I try and not eat anything with red dye myself. Also I do believe it has been outlawed in Europe



Food Dye Intolerance & Allergy

What Is Red Dye Allergy?

There is a lot out there on Red Dye

Thanks for the info on this, I'll be sure to read up! Thanks!

[monique]

I've read a lot about red dye allergies, lucky for me I don't seem to react to it. As for phthalates, there's been a lot of groups trying to get them banned in childrens' toys, for a LONG time now! I remember when I was a kid my mom not letting my little sister chew soft plastic teething rings because the negative effects were already suspected among hippy moms in the mid 80s! I don't know whether the plastic levels show that heavier girls consume more phthalates or just store more or what, in any case I hope the findings lead to much more research! And just for the record, bottled water is probably not a good idea even before it's heated, filtered tap water is not only the cheapest but also the safest water from what I've read! Tap water is generally more pure than bottled because it is restricted more legally. Except for chlorine, and some say fluoride, tap water is pretty safe. My husband and I researched and ended up getting a 3-stage filter that attaches to the kitchen faucet. One of these days I want a shower filter as well though because I feel like chlorine dries my skin out, it actually keeps me from swimming more at public pools even though I love to swim!

~Monique