Is BPA Making Girls Obese?

[Julieanne]

Maddie Oatman
June 14 2013

A chemical common in food packaging—Bisphenol-A (BPA)—has for years been scrutinized for potential links to reproductive problems (http://www.motherjones.com/tom-philpott/2012/09/bpa-cans-its-messing-your-ovaries), heart disease, cancer, and even anxiety (http://www.motherjones.com/blue-marble/2011/10/pediatrics-study-bpa-girls-depression). And now new research suggests BPA, which leeches out from things like aluminum cans, drink straws, plastic packaging, and even cashier's receipts, could increase the risk for obesity in preteen girls.

http://www.motherjones.com/blue-marble/2013/06/bpa-girls-obesity-puberty

[Islander]

No doubt BPA plays a role. But consider all the other influences at play, not the least of which is the SAD (US diet). I'm skeptical of any "single cause" assertion, especially in the case of obesity which is a complex issue.

[StephenX]

What Islander said.

[Maurya]

BPA and other hormone disruptors are known to increase body fat predominantly in the thighs, an area well known to women who seem unable to lose that fat. Body fat in other areas of the body might be due more to the well known effects of sweets, junk food, etc.

[Aaltrude]

I don't dispute that BPA could be a factor in obesity but as others are saying, it is not the cause. The type and quantity of food that is eaten is a major factor as well as the amount of exercise, thyroid function etc etc etc.
Recently we purchased a set of one doz stainless steel drink straws as part of our strategy to cut down on our plastic usage and exposure.

[Islander]

I have a couple of glass drinking straws, a gift from a HH member! :D

[Julieanne]

So how do you keep them clean? Not that I use straws - just curious.

[Islander]

I just wash them with the rest of the dishes in dish detergent. I don't use them for anything greasy — just things like lemon water or veggie juice which rinses out any residue.

[Aaltrude]

You can use tobacco pipe cleaners to clean the inside of the straw. The set I bought came some straw cleaners which are identical to pipe cleaners.