Pollution can make kids obese

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London:: Pollution does not just take a toll on our planet—it could also make your child obese, a new study has revealed.

Previous studies suggested that genetics give humans different metabolisms, making some gain weight more easily than others. Now, a team in Spain has found that pollution may similarly predispose people to get fat.

In fact, in their study, researchers at Barcelona’s Municipal Institute of Medical Research have clearly showed that exposure to a range of common chemicals in the mother’s womb sets up a baby to grow up stout. They have based their findings on an analysis of umbilical cord of 403 children born on the Spanish island of Menorca, from before birth, leading British newspaper The Independent reported. The team measured levels of hexachlorobenzene (HCB), a pesticide, in the umbilical cords of the children and found that those with the highest levels were twice as likely to be obese when they reached the age of six-and-a-half.

What’s more shocking is that every umbilical cord analysed in the study was found to contain HCB pesticide which was mainly used to treat seeds. Though they are not sure how HCB causes obesity, the researchers have speculated that it may have made the mothers diabetic, which would increase the chances of the children becoming obese.