Teenagers with higher levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in their blood who undergo bariatric surgery will regain weight after the procedure, a new study has revealed.
Researchers have found that elevated blood levels of a class of PFAS known as sulfonic acids can cause adolescents to regain weight after bariatric surgery.
PFAS are a large group of man-made chemicals widely used in various consumer products and industrial processes.
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They are often called ‘forever chemicals’ because they do not break down easily in the environment and can persist for a long time.
Accumulating in the body, PFAS can trigger the development of health complications such as various cancers, kidney problems and liver damage, prior research has revealed.
Bariatric surgery is a surgical procedure used to manage obesity and obesity-related conditions, such as cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.
According to the academics, PFAS exposure can trigger weight gain after bariatric surgery because they can disrupt endocrine and metabolic processes.
First author Brittney Baumert said: “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.”
During the investigation, the team of researchers analysed the 186 adolescents from the Teen-Longitudinal Assessment of Bariatric Surgery (Teen-LABS) study for a total of five years. All the participants underwent bariatric surgery between 2007 and 2012.
“Our study shows a clear association between PFAS exposure and weight-related outcomes in bariatric surgery for adolescents,” said Brittney Baumert.
She added: “PFAS are a modifiable risk, which is why protective policies are so important to reduce exposure and safeguard public health – especially for vulnerable populations.”
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By assessing each participant’s blood samples, the researchers tested for levels of seven types of PFAS.
Teenagers who weighed 328lbs and had a low exposure to PFAS regained 35.9lbs by the five-year mark, the study has reported.
However, teens of the same weight with the highest PFOS exposure regained roughly 46.9lbs, the research has revealed.
The study is available in the journal Obesity.
