India is a country is progressing in many ways. But along with progression, it is also getting problems from the west in the country. Â Obesity is a major health concern for children today. In a survey it has been found that nearly 40% of the children, in the age group of 5-10 years are obese. The statistics are alarming. Ailments like diabetes are rampant among children. Changing lifestyle, higher disposable incomes, exposure to junk food at a young age are factors leading to this trend.
How common was a burger, or pizza or a fried chicken an eating option earlier? Not to mention any names but entry of food chains specializing in such fast foods has brought in the culture of eating such foods more frequently. With both parents working, and less time, mother’s also seeing these foods as very convenient option. A recent research has revealed that not just the food, the packaging material used these days is also responsible for obesity among children.
Recent studies suggest a connection between BPA and child obesity. A study done in New York suggests a strong connection between BPA (a chemical used for food packaging) and child obesity. Majority of the people have traces of plastic chemicals in their bodies these days, but children who have such plastic chemical traces in their bodies are two times more prone to get obese in comparison to adults. The study was conducted on a group of approximately 2800 children in the age group of 6 to 19 years, from 2003 to 2009. Results revealed that, 22% of the children having high levels of BPA were obese as compared to only 10% having low levels of BPA.
What is BPA?
BPA, or bisphenol A, is used for packaging from 1960. Now it is used so extensivelythat its traces can be found in virtually all adults. Government health officials claim low levels of BPA as safe. However, they are still researching on how much amount of BPA used can be hazardous. BPA is one of the key elements in making hard plastics for food and beverage containers. Environmentalists claim that that BPA can interfere in the overall development of children. Following the guidelines of Food and Drug Administration that BPA cannot be used in baby products, manufacturers of baby bottles & sippers have stopped using BPA. Experiments on animals reveal BPA can aid obesity by disrupting metabolism, and in turn make fat cells larger. Studies also reveal a strong connect between urinary BPA levels and obesity-related illnesses in adults. These include ailments like diabetes and heart disease.
