White children exposed to high levels of bisphenol A are five times more likely to be obese than children with low levels, according to a study published today in the Journal of the American Medical Association. The research is the first to link the chemical to obesity in children; previous studies reported links in adults and animals. Traces of BPA – used in some canned food and beverages, paper receipts and dental sealants – are found in virtually every U.S. adult and child.

Environmental Health News: BPA Linked to Obesity in White Children

In 2011, a study found that evidence of BPA in participants’ urine decreased by 50% to 70% after only three days of eating fresh foods, instead of eating canned foods that contained BPA. This tells me that BPA leaves the body quickly, so presence of BPA in the body is due to continuous exposure, rather than accumulation of multiple exposures over time.

There are many things we each can do to minimize our exposure to BPA from foods and beverages and other sources. I’ve put them all together in my free ebook How to Reduce Your Exposure to Bisphenol-A (BPA).