Urinary bisphenol A concentrations and the risk of obesity in Korean adults

Sci Rep. 2021 Jan 15;11(1):1603. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-80980-8.

Abstract

This study was aimed to evaluate the association between urinary bisphenol A (BPA) levels and risk of obesity in Korean adults. We analyzed data from the Korean National Environmental Health Survey (KoNEHS) Cycle 2 (2012-2014) and Cycle 3 (2015-2017). A total of 10,021 participants aged ≥ 19 years were included. Urine dilution was corrected by the covariate-adjusted standardization (CAS) method. We performed meta-analysis, logistic regression analysis by matching all covariates with a 1:1 propensity score, and a 4-knot restricted cubic spline plot model to calculate the odds ratios (ORs) for obesity according to natural log-transformed BPA levels. Mean urinary BPA concentration was 1.12 µg/L in KoNEHS Cycle 2 and 1.32 µg/L in Cycle 3. BPA levels were significantly higher among obese adults than among non-obese adults in both KoNEHS Cycles 2 and 3. In pooled data of KoNEHS Cycles 2 and 3, BPA showed significant positive associations with ORs for obesity in both sexes, which were more prominent in females (linear) than in males (non-linear). These associations were confirmed in spline analyses. CAS-applied BPA concentrations were positively associated with obesity in nationwide representative samples of Korean adults. Further studies are warranted to confirm and elucidate the underlying mechanism.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Benzhydryl Compounds / urine*
  • Bisphenol A Compounds
  • Body Mass Index
  • Female
  • Health Surveys
  • Humans
  • Logistic Models
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Obesity / pathology*
  • Phenols / urine*
  • Propensity Score
  • Republic of Korea
  • Risk Factors
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Benzhydryl Compounds
  • Phenols
  • bisphenol A
  • Bisphenol A Compounds