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Article
Exposure To Pesticides And Food Packaging Materials And Bmi In Samoan Mothers And Children
Public Health Theses
  • Jennifer Park, Yale University
Date of Award
1-1-2016
Document Type
Open Access Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Public Health (MPH)
Department
School of Public Health
First Advisor
Nicole Deziel
Second Advisor
Nicola Hawley
Abstract

Background: Growing evidence suggests that environmental chemicals, including certain pesticides and bisphenol A (BPA), may be linked to obesity because of their ability to disrupt metabolic functions. Methods: We conducted a community-based, cross-sectional survey of 319 non-pregnant mothers, ≥18 years old, with a child aged 2-Samoa, a country with high obesity prevalence, understudied agricultural and residential pesticide use and BPA consumption from canned and packaged goods. We measured weight and height of the mother-child pair and interviewed mothers about their potential environmental exposures. Using multivariable logistic regression, we evaluated the association between pesticide and BPA exposure surrogates and weight status. Results: Among 319 mothers, 87.2% were overweight or obese (BMI≥26); among 314 children, 16.2% were overweight or obese (World Health Organization BMIz≥2). A total of 188 (59%) and 108 (34%) women reported home pest treatments with insecticides or herbicides, respectively. In adjusted analyses, we observed a borderline significant association (p=0.056) between herbicide use and higher maternal BMI; no associations were observed for other environmental exposures. Children who lived within 0-29 meters of a farm/plantation had lower odds of overweight/obesity. Conclusion: Our results suggest a possible link between herbicide use and higher maternal BMI as well as an association with proximity of home to a farm/plantation and lower BMI in children. Further research could incorporate biological or environmental sampling of pesticide and BPA exposure.

Citation Information
Jennifer Park. "Exposure To Pesticides And Food Packaging Materials And Bmi In Samoan Mothers And Children" (2016)
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/jennifer-parks/20/