Pollution blamed for making kids fat

(AAP)Pollution is now being blamed for making children obese, following new research carried out in Spain.

The study suggests that if babies are exposed to common chemicals while still in the
womb they are more likely to become overweight before they turn 10.
Scientists from Barcelona's Municipal Institute of Medical Research measured levels
of a common pesticide known as hexachlorobenzene (HCB) in the umbilical cords of 403
children before they were born.
They found that those with the highest levels were twice as likely to be obese by
the time they were six-and-a-half.
HCB, a chemical which was commonly used to treat seeds, has been banned worldwide
but it remains in the environment and some food products.
The authors of the study suggest that unborn babies' exposure to pesticides should
be "minimised", noting that other research has shown chemicals fed to pregnant
animals can result in them having obese offspring.
The study, published in the journal Acta Paediatrica, speculates that HCB can play a
role in making expectant mothers diabetic, which then increases the chances of their
children becoming obese.
Dr Pete Myers, chief scientist at the US-based Environmental Health Sciences
organisation, described the study's findings as "very important".
"It is the first good study of the effects on the foetus," he told The Independent
on Sunday newspaper.
"Its conclusions are not surprising, given what we know from the animal experiments,
but it firmly links such chemicals to the biggest challenge facing public health
today."