Times Op-ed columnist Nicholas Kristof usually brings to light morally conscientious stories on human rights, economics, politics and the like. So what inspired Kristof to venture into the sciences this past Sunday, dropping esoteric words like “endocrine” and “obesogens” in his latest Op-Ed column? If you missed the article, read it and you’ll be surprised by Kristof’s warning for expecting and new parents.
Kristof recognizes obesity as a national epidemic. He also recognizes the poor coverage of health issues in the media. That’s why he thought it was important to discuss how certain kinds of chemicals may be a leading culprit in childhood obesity-—and how the process begins during pregnancy. Known as endocrine disruptor chemicals, these unregulated substances are found in everyday manufacture products like plastics, canned goods, shampoo, and household cleaning products.
Compounding the problem, doctors rarely warn their pregnant patients about these chemical dangers. As Kristof writes:
The magazine Scientific American recently asked whether doctors should do more to warn pregnant women about certain chemicals. It cited a survey indicating that only 19 percent of doctors cautioned pregnant women about pesticides, only 8 percent about BPA (an endocrine disruptor in some plastics and receipts), and only 5 percent about phthalates (endocrine disruptors found in cosmetics and shampoos). Dr. Blumberg, the pioneer of the field, says he strongly recommends that people–especially children and women who are pregnant or may become pregnant–try to eat organic foods to reduce exposure to endocrine disruptors, and try to avoid using plastics to store food or water. ‘My daughter uses a stainless steel water bottle, and so do I,’ he said.
The article reminds expecting parents that even if you do all the traditionally right things during pregnancy, you can’t ignore the unconscious environmental factors. To learn more about how you can make safer choices during your pregnancy, here are a few links:
- Why It’s Worth Eating Organic Food , with Charles Benbrook’s, a research professor atWashingtonStateUniversity, critique of Standford research, arguing the benefits of eating organic food for pregnant women.
- EWG’S 2012 Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce — from Environmental Working Group, which publishes lists highlighting the fruits and vegetables with the lowest and highest amounts of pesticide.
