Association between some endocrine-disrupting chemicals and childhood obesity in biological samples of young girls: a cross-sectional study.

Childhood obesity, a major public health concern, has increased worldwide. Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) have recently received attention as a cause of obesity. A cross-sectional study using logistic regression was conducted to investigate the association between some endocrine disrupting chemicals and obesity in young girls. Endogenous steroids expected to be associated with EDCs were also investigated. The target compounds included 7 phthalates (MEP, DBP, MBP, DEHP, MEHP, PA and MBzP), 2 alkylphenols (4-NP and t-OP), bisphenol A and 9 endogenous steroids (DHT, epi-T, T, DHEA, A, P, E1, E2 and E3). PA in urine and MEP, DBP and PA in serum showed statistically significant differences between the control and obese groups, those compounds were considered to be associated with obesity. In addition, DHEA in serum showed a statistically significant difference between obese and control groups. We concluded that these substances can affect the development of obesity.