Latest news with #BrittneyBaumert
UPI
4 days ago
- Health
- UPI
PFAS chemicals tied to weight loss difficulties in teens
"Forever" PFAS chemicals might hamper a teenager's ability to drop excess weight, even if they've undergone weight-loss surgery, University of Southern California researchers said in a new study. File Photo by Diego Azubel/EPA "Forever" PFAS chemicals might hamper a teenager's ability to drop excess weight, even if they've undergone weight-loss surgery, a new study says. Teens with high blood levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances were more likely to regain weight lost after bariatric surgery, researchers reported Aug. 14 in the journal Obesity. "Our study shows a clear association between PFAS exposure and weight-related outcomes in bariatric surgery for adolescents," lead researcher Brittney Baumert said in a news release. She's a postdoctoral research fellow in population and public health sciences at the Keck School of Medicine of USC. PFAS are called "forever chemicals" because they combine carbon and fluorine molecules, one of the strongest chemical bonds possible. This makes PFAS removal and breakdown very difficult. PFAS compounds have been used in consumer products since the 1940s, including fire extinguishing foam, nonstick cookware, stain-resistant furniture, waterproof clothing and food wrappers, researchers said. Previous studies have shown that PFAS chemicals disrupt hormones in the human body, potentially affecting metabolism and weight gain, researchers said in background notes. "With the growing use of weight loss interventions around the world, it's critical for us to understand the association between PFAS and successful weight loss management, including what this means for long-term outcomes," Baumert said. For the study, researchers tracked 186 teenagers who underwent bariatric surgery between 2007 and 2012. Blood samples were taken before surgery and tested for seven types of PFAS, and the participants were tracked for up to five years after surgery for weight, body mass index and waist size. (BMI is an estimate of body fat based on height and weight.) Results showed that teens with higher PFAS blood levels before surgery regained more weight and had greater increases in waist circumference than those with lower levels. The strongest links between the chemicals and excess weight were observed in a class of PFAS known as sulfonic acids, which includes perfluoroctaansulfonaten, or PFOS, and perfluoroheptanesulfonic acid, or PFHpS, researchers said. For example, teenagers with the highest levels of PFOS regained about 47 pounds on average within five years of their surgery, compared with about 36 pounds for those with the lowest exposure levels, results showed. And teens with highest PFHpS exposure regained an average 4.3% of their body weight per year following surgery, compared with 2.7% per year in the lowest exposure group. These results add to mounting evidence that PFAS need stronger regulation, researchers said. This particularly applies to public water supplies, which are the greatest source of PFAS exposure in the U.S. "PFAS are a modifiable risk, which is why protective policies are so important to reduce exposure and safeguard public health -- especially for vulnerable populations," Baumert said. Researchers next plan to explore whether PFAS exposure might affect the impact of other weight-loss methods, such as GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Zepbound. They also want to investigate whether PFAS chemicals increase risk of metabolic conditions like type 2 diabetes or fatty liver disease. However, they noted the current study is observational and cannot draw a direct cause-and-effect link between PFAS and weight gain. More information The Environmental Working Group has more on PFAS chemicals. Copyright © 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
These hidden chemicals could sabotage your weight-loss efforts even after surgery. New research sounds alarm
Weight Regain Despite Surgery You Might Also Like: Weight Loss made easy with ChatGPT: 5 prompts for personalised fitness advice Why PFAS Are So Hard to Escape iStock PFAS, short for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are human-made chemicals that combine carbon and fluorine atoms — a bond so strong they hardly break down, earning them the name 'forever chemicals.' Health Risks Beyond Weight A Modifiable Risk For decades, people have turned to strict diets, advanced weight-loss programs and even surgery to shed pounds. But a new study suggests an invisible enemy could be quietly sabotaging those efforts — 'forever chemicals' known as PFAS According to Health Day, researchers from the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California report that teenagers with high levels of PFAS in their blood were significantly more likely to regain weight after undergoing bariatric surgery . The findings, published August 14 in the journal Obesity, raise alarm about how environmental exposure may undermine even the most aggressive weight-loss team tracked 186 adolescents who underwent bariatric surgery between 2007 and 2012, collecting blood samples beforehand to test for seven types of PFAS. They then monitored the participants' weight, body mass index (BMI) and waist size for up to five years after were striking. Those with the highest pre-surgery levels of certain PFAS compounds regained far more weight than those with lower levels. For example, teens with the highest levels of perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) gained back about 47 pounds within five years, compared to 36 pounds among peers with the lowest PFOS exposure. Another PFAS chemical, perfluoroheptanesulfonic acid (PFHpS), was linked to an average yearly weight regain of 4.3 percent of body weight, compared to 2.7 percent in the low-exposure group.'These findings show a clear association between PFAS exposure and weight-related outcomes in bariatric surgery for adolescents,' lead author Brittney Baumert said in a news release. 'With the growing use of weight loss interventions, it's critical to understand how these chemicals may affect long-term success.'PFAS, short for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are human-made chemicals that combine carbon and fluorine atoms — a bond so strong they hardly break down, earning them the name 'forever chemicals.' Since the 1940s, they've been used in everyday products: nonstick cookware, waterproof clothing, food wrappers, stain-resistant furniture and firefighting their persistence means they accumulate in the environment — and in our bodies. Drinking water is one of the largest sources of exposure in the United States, but they're also present in certain foods, cosmetics, and even dust from household studies have shown PFAS can disrupt hormones, impair metabolism and potentially contribute to weight gain. Now, research is beginning to link them to more specific outcomes, such as reduced effectiveness of weight-loss dangers of PFAS are not limited to waistlines. According to the Mayo Clinic, these chemicals have been linked to cardiovascular risks, especially in women. A recent American Heart Association study found that middle-aged women with higher PFAS levels were 70 percent more likely to develop high blood pressure than those with lower DeLisa Fairweather, a cardiovascular researcher at Mayo Clinic, explains that the effects can be compounded during menopause. 'When estrogen levels drop, the immune response changes, creating a more proinflammatory state,' she said. 'This can increase the risk for heart disease, atherosclerosis and stroke.'PFAS have also been detected in fish, dairy products and other foods, largely due to contaminated water and agricultural practices. Heating food in certain plastics can release PFAS into meals, prompting experts to recommend glass containers stresses that PFAS are a 'modifiable risk,' meaning exposure can be reduced through stronger regulations and personal choices. Policymakers are already considering stricter limits in drinking water, and researchers are calling for broader public USC team now plans to study whether PFAS could also affect the success of weight-loss drugs such as Ozempic or Zepbound, and whether they raise risks for metabolic disorders like type 2 diabetes or fatty liver disease.
Economic Times
4 days ago
- Health
- Economic Times
These hidden chemicals could sabotage your weight-loss efforts even after surgery. New research sounds alarm
Synopsis A new study reveals that 'forever chemicals' or PFAS might hinder weight loss efforts. Teenagers with high PFAS levels regained more weight post-surgery. These chemicals are found in everyday items and accumulate in our bodies. PFAS exposure is linked to cardiovascular risks, especially in women. Researchers are exploring PFAS impact on weight-loss drugs and metabolic disorders. iStock A new study reveals that 'forever chemicals' or PFAS might hinder weight loss efforts. Teenagers with high PFAS levels regained more weight post-surgery. These chemicals are found in everyday items and accumulate in our bodies. For decades, people have turned to strict diets, advanced weight-loss programs and even surgery to shed pounds. But a new study suggests an invisible enemy could be quietly sabotaging those efforts — 'forever chemicals' known as PFAS. According to Health Day, researchers from the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California report that teenagers with high levels of PFAS in their blood were significantly more likely to regain weight after undergoing bariatric surgery. The findings, published August 14 in the journal Obesity , raise alarm about how environmental exposure may undermine even the most aggressive weight-loss interventions. The team tracked 186 adolescents who underwent bariatric surgery between 2007 and 2012, collecting blood samples beforehand to test for seven types of PFAS. They then monitored the participants' weight, body mass index (BMI) and waist size for up to five years after surgery. Results were striking. Those with the highest pre-surgery levels of certain PFAS compounds regained far more weight than those with lower levels. For example, teens with the highest levels of perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) gained back about 47 pounds within five years, compared to 36 pounds among peers with the lowest PFOS exposure. Another PFAS chemical, perfluoroheptanesulfonic acid (PFHpS), was linked to an average yearly weight regain of 4.3 percent of body weight, compared to 2.7 percent in the low-exposure group. 'These findings show a clear association between PFAS exposure and weight-related outcomes in bariatric surgery for adolescents,' lead author Brittney Baumert said in a news release. 'With the growing use of weight loss interventions, it's critical to understand how these chemicals may affect long-term success.' PFAS, short for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are human-made chemicals that combine carbon and fluorine atoms — a bond so strong they hardly break down, earning them the name 'forever chemicals.' Since the 1940s, they've been used in everyday products: nonstick cookware, waterproof clothing, food wrappers, stain-resistant furniture and firefighting foams. Unfortunately, their persistence means they accumulate in the environment — and in our bodies. Drinking water is one of the largest sources of exposure in the United States, but they're also present in certain foods, cosmetics, and even dust from household items. Previous studies have shown PFAS can disrupt hormones, impair metabolism and potentially contribute to weight gain. Now, research is beginning to link them to more specific outcomes, such as reduced effectiveness of weight-loss treatments. The dangers of PFAS are not limited to waistlines. According to the Mayo Clinic, these chemicals have been linked to cardiovascular risks, especially in women. A recent American Heart Association study found that middle-aged women with higher PFAS levels were 70 percent more likely to develop high blood pressure than those with lower levels. Dr. DeLisa Fairweather, a cardiovascular researcher at Mayo Clinic, explains that the effects can be compounded during menopause. 'When estrogen levels drop, the immune response changes, creating a more proinflammatory state,' she said. 'This can increase the risk for heart disease, atherosclerosis and stroke.' PFAS have also been detected in fish, dairy products and other foods, largely due to contaminated water and agricultural practices. Heating food in certain plastics can release PFAS into meals, prompting experts to recommend glass containers instead. Baumert stresses that PFAS are a 'modifiable risk,' meaning exposure can be reduced through stronger regulations and personal choices. Policymakers are already considering stricter limits in drinking water, and researchers are calling for broader public education. The USC team now plans to study whether PFAS could also affect the success of weight-loss drugs such as Ozempic or Zepbound, and whether they raise risks for metabolic disorders like type 2 diabetes or fatty liver disease.
The Hill
5 days ago
- Health
- The Hill
Teens with higher PFAS levels more likely to regain weight after bariatric surgery: Study
Adolescents exposed to toxic 'forever chemicals' may be more likely to regain weight lost after bariatric surgery, a new study has found. The risk of such gains, which can undermine the procedure's success and cause long-term health issues, was higher in patients who had elevated levels of the compounds prior to the surgery, scientists found in the study, published on Thursday in Obesity. These so-called forever chemicals, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), are notorious for their ability to persist in both the human body and the environment. Linked to numerous cancers and serious health conditions, PFAS are present in certain firefighting foams and a variety of household items, including nonstick pans, cosmetics and waterproof apparel. Bariatric surgery, a procedure that alters the digestive system, has long been used as a treatment for severe obesity, with the goals of reducing risks of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, the study authors noted. Yet with so many individuals regaining the weight over time, the researchers sought out answers as to why those setbacks might occur. They said they were particularly curious about the role PFAS exposure might play, since the compounds are known to interfere with metabolic processes. Several studies, they explained, have already documented such effects in adult populations, but the extent to which those impacts apply to teenagers remains unclear. 'With the growing use of weight loss interventions around the world, it's critical for us to understand the association between PFAS and successful weight loss management,' lead author Brittney Baumert, a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Southern California's Keck School of Medicine, said in a statement. Baumert and her colleagues tracked 186 adolescents from the Teen-Longitudinal Assessment of Bariatric Surgery (Teen-LABS) study — a national initiative funded by the National Institutes of Health — who underwent bariatric surgery between 2007 and 2012. Teen-LABS researchers measured blood levels for seven types of PFAS in each patient before surgery, as well as weight, body mass index and waist circumference before the procedure and six months, one year, three years and five years later. Baumert and her co-authors harnessed the data from Teen-LABS and divided the adolescents into low, medium and high PFAS exposure groups. They then compared the weight gain and waist expansion outcomes among the cohorts and for each kind of PFAS. Ultimately, the scientists found that patients with higher blood levels of three types of PFAS — PFOS, PFHxS and PFHpS — exhibited greater weight gain and increases in waist circumference in the one to five years following surgery. Regarding PFOS specifically, adolescents in the low exposure group with starting body weights of 328 pounds or more regained an average of 35.9 pounds by the five-year mark, the researchers observed. Teens of the same starting weight with the highest PFOS levels gained about 46.9 pounds. For PFHpS, patients in the lowest exposure group regained about 2.7 of their baseline body weight each year, while those in the highest cohort regained an average of 4.3 percent on average, per the study. The authors expressed hope that their findings could help inform strategies for improving patient care. Since bariatric surgery is invasive and expensive, they stressed the importance of understanding who the procedure could truly benefit. In the future, Baumert said she is interested in exploring whether PFAS exposure influences any other weight loss interventions, including the function of GLP-1 medications like Ozempic. She and her team also noted that the study adds to an expanding body of research that could steer policymakers toward stronger regulation of PFAS, particularly in public water supplies. 'PFAS are a modifiable risk, which is why protective policies are so important to reduce exposure and safeguard public health — especially for vulnerable populations,' Baumert added.
