Recent European research highlights how exposure to hormone-disrupting chemicals during pregnancy and early childhood may influence long-term weight gain, emphasising the importance of reducing such exposures amidst mounting health concerns.
A new study adds to evidence that exposure to hormone-disrupting chemicals during pregnancy and early childhood may influence a child’s long-term weight trajectory. Researchers who tracked more than 1,300 mother-child pairs across six European birth cohorts found that mixtures of these substances were linked with higher body mass index, more body fat and a greater likelihood of overweight through adolescence, according to a report from U.S. Right to Know.
The study, published in Environment International in September 2026, examined prenatal and childhood exposure to 45 endocrine-disrupting chemicals across nine classes. These included PFAS, phthalates, pesticides, PCBs, flame retardants, metals, parabens and phenols such as bisphenol A and triclosan. About 28% of the children in the study were overweight or obese at age eight, rising to roughly 30% by age 15, underscoring the persistence of the problem over time, according to the report.
What makes the research notable is its focus on chemical mixtures rather than single substances. That approach reflects real-world exposure, since children and pregnant women are rarely exposed to just one compound at a time. Earlier research has pointed in the same direction: a December 2024 study reported that prenatal exposure to phenols and phthalates was associated with greater fat mass in children as young as three, with girls appearing more susceptible than boys.
The latest findings also sit alongside a growing body of work on the reach of these chemicals in everyday life. A global review published in December 2025 found that breast milk from mothers around the world contained a broad range of endocrine-disrupting chemicals, while still stressing that human milk remains the best nutrition for infants, in line with World Health Organisation guidance. Another major review in September 2025 warned that plastic additives such as phthalates, bisphenols and PFAS may affect hormone function, inflammation and brain development, increasing the risk of chronic illness later in life.
PFAS, often called “forever chemicals” because they persist in the environment and the body, have also drawn attention in other health research. A March 2025 study linked PFAS in drinking water to higher rates of several cancers, adding to concerns about their broader impact on human health. Taken together, the studies suggest that reducing exposure to hormone-disrupting chemicals during pregnancy and early childhood could be an important public health priority, particularly as scientists continue to examine how mixed exposures affect children as they grow.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
