Emad Tahir1, Sylvaine Cordier2, Yohann Courtemanche1, Nadine Forget-Dubois1, Mireille Desrochers-Couture1, Richard E Bélanger3, Pierre Ayotte4, Joseph L Jacobson5, Sandra W Jacobson5, Gina Muckle6. 1. Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec, Québec, Canada. 2. Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec, Québec, Canada; Univ Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de Recherche en Santé, Environnement et Travail), UMR_S1085, F-35000, Rennes, France. 3. Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec, Québec, Canada; Département de Pédiatrie, Université Laval, Québec, Québec, Canada. 4. Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec, Québec, Canada; Centre de Toxicologie du Québec, Institut National de Santé Publique du Québec, Québec City, Québec, Canada. 5. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA. 6. Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec, Québec, Canada; École de Psychologie, Université Laval, Québec, Québec, Canada. Electronic address: gina.muckle@psy.ulaval.ca.
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS: Given that their traditional lifestyle and diet still relies on fish and other marine species for sustenance, the Inuit are highly exposed to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and PCBs are increasingly linked to obesity. However, evidence is not consistent regarding which periods of exposure are most relevant. In this study, we examine whether in utero, childhood, and adolescent exposure to PCBs are related to physical growth at adolescence. METHOD: Inuit adolescents from Canada (N=212) enrolled in a prospective longitudinal cohort study since birth were assessed for height, weight, body mass index (BMI), fat mass index (FMI) and fat free mass index (FFMI) at 18 years of age. PCB 153 concentrations were quantified in blood samples obtained at birth (umbilical cord), 11, and 18 years of age. Maternal anthropometrics were measured and those for the newborns collected from medical records. Data on biological mothers and participants' sociodemographic characteristics and food security were collected using interviews. Multiple linear regression analyses were used to test associations between PCB 153 concentrations and adolescent anthropometric measures. RESULTS: Cord PCB 153 was not related to height or FFMI at adolescence. By contrast, analyses showed that cord PCB 153 was related to higher BMI, FMI and marginally to weight in girls but not boys. Child PCB 153 was not related to height, weight or FFMI in adolescence. Child PCB 153 was related to lower BMI and FMI at adolescence in both sexes, particularly among those considered overweight or obese during childhood. Adolescent PCB 153 was not associated with any outcome. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that prenatal exposure to PCBs may have a long-term effect on growth in early adulthood among girls and identifies the peri-pubertal period as another window of sensitivity for the action of PCBs. Our findings also suggest that exposure to PCBs and body size be documented in multiple time periods from infancy to adulthood.
BACKGROUND/AIMS: Given that their traditional lifestyle and diet still relies on fish and other marine species for sustenance, the Inuit are highly exposed to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and PCBs are increasingly linked to obesity. However, evidence is not consistent regarding which periods of exposure are most relevant. In this study, we examine whether in utero, childhood, and adolescent exposure to PCBs are related to physical growth at adolescence. METHOD: Inuit adolescents from Canada (N=212) enrolled in a prospective longitudinal cohort study since birth were assessed for height, weight, body mass index (BMI), fat mass index (FMI) and fat free mass index (FFMI) at 18 years of age. PCB 153 concentrations were quantified in blood samples obtained at birth (umbilical cord), 11, and 18 years of age. Maternal anthropometrics were measured and those for the newborns collected from medical records. Data on biological mothers and participants' sociodemographic characteristics and food security were collected using interviews. Multiple linear regression analyses were used to test associations between PCB 153 concentrations and adolescent anthropometric measures. RESULTS: Cord PCB 153 was not related to height or FFMI at adolescence. By contrast, analyses showed that cord PCB 153 was related to higher BMI, FMI and marginally to weight in girls but not boys. ChildPCB 153 was not related to height, weight or FFMI in adolescence. ChildPCB 153 was related to lower BMI and FMI at adolescence in both sexes, particularly among those considered overweight or obese during childhood. Adolescent PCB 153 was not associated with any outcome. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that prenatal exposure to PCBs may have a long-term effect on growth in early adulthood among girls and identifies the peri-pubertal period as another window of sensitivity for the action of PCBs. Our findings also suggest that exposure to PCBs and body size be documented in multiple time periods from infancy to adulthood.
Authors: Mercedes de Onis; Adelheid W Onyango; Elaine Borghi; Amani Siyam; Chizuru Nishida; Jonathan Siekmann Journal: Bull World Health Organ Date: 2007-09 Impact factor: 9.408
Authors: Immle Delvaux; Jolijn Van Cauwenberghe; Elly Den Hond; Greet Schoeters; Eva Govarts; Vera Nelen; Willy Baeyens; Nicolas Van Larebeke; Isabelle Sioen Journal: Environ Res Date: 2014-04-16 Impact factor: 6.498
Authors: Stijn L Verhulst; Vera Nelen; Elly Den Hond; Gudrun Koppen; Caroline Beunckens; Carl Vael; Greet Schoeters; Kristine Desager Journal: Environ Health Perspect Date: 2008-10-08 Impact factor: 9.031
Authors: Meghan O'Grady Milbrath; Yvan Wenger; Chiung-Wen Chang; Claude Emond; David Garabrant; Brenda W Gillespie; Olivier Jolliet Journal: Environ Health Perspect Date: 2008-10-03 Impact factor: 9.031