How common cleaning products could lead to childhood obesity

HOUSTON – A study from Canada said the disinfectants we're using in our homes.

In the past few decades, scientists say asthma, type 1 diabetes, obesity and other diseases are sharply changing among kids, so what's changed?

The study, which is only examining childhood obesity, finds that disinfectants are changing the bacteria in children's lives.

Dr. Geoffrey Preidis, a pediatric gastroenterologist from Texas Children's Hospital. But he's not convinced.

"We still do not know what it is, and it could be a lot of other things that were not accounted for," Preidis said. "Specific types of cleaners, they might also encourage their children to be exposed to a TV or a screen."

He said: We can be too sterile.

"Several hundred years ago many of our ancestors lived on farms … there was no refrigeration, no electricity. So that is one of the key changes that many people are pointing to that could be increased risk of certain diseases, "Preidis said.

He warns against living too dirty though, too, especially in the kitchen where the deadliest germs exist. The challenge is finding the balance of bacteria we should live with.

One finding from the Canadian researchers is less common in the environment than with eco-friendly products. However, Preidis is not ready to recommend certain products yet.

"Again, too early to say," he said.

Preidis said, for now, you should be adding more healthy foods to your diet. Foods that have live bacteria like yogurt, kefir and kombucha can vary microbiota.

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