Research Links BPA Exposure and Childhood Obesity

Obesity in the U.S. is on the rise, and you don't have to be a genius to see that Americans eat too much and exercise too little. But could other factors play a role as well?

A new study, according to the Los Angeles Times, links high levels of bisphenol A (BPA) exposure during childhood and adolescence to elevated rates of obesity in white children. Researchers found that, when compared with white children whose urine contained low levels of BPA, those with higher levels were "six times more likely to be obese."

However, scientists caution that the research does not prove cause-and-effect. They call their findings "at best hypothesis generating."

But anti-BPA sentiment is nothing new. The Los Angeles Times explains: "In recent years, alarm has grown among consumer groups and public health officials amid mounting evidence that BPA readily accumulates in the body's fat stores and can disrupt hormones that play crucial roles in sexual development, energy use and fat deposition."

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) asserts that it's safe to use BPA in food containers. Still, you might want to play it safe! Motivators offers tons of custom BPA-free water bottles and other products that are high-quality and reliable. If you're heading to a health or wellness event, you might want to opt for one of these BPA-free giveaways.