A study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal suggests that common household disinfectants are associated with overweight children. (Photo: Getty Images / iStockphoto)

Common cleaning products are related to Obesity in children, according to a study published Monday in the Journal of the Canadian Medical Association.

Disinfectants and multi-surface cleaners could contribute to weight gain in children by altering intestinal bacteria in infants.

Canadian researchers reported that fecal samples showed that infants aged 3 and 4 months exposed to antibacterial cleansers each week had higher levels of intestinal bacteria called Lachnospiraceae that eliminated the extra energy from food. These babies were more likely to have a higher body mass index and to be overweight or obese by the age of 3 years.

Anita Kozyrskyj, senior researcher and professor of pediatrics at the University of Alberta in Canada, told HealthDay that the results revealed that parents who used "environmentally friendly" cleaning products

"Take comfort when cleaning with disinfectants Our observations [of cleanliness], with people cleaning more than once a week, until every day. "

Research does not prove the cause and the effect

US officials for cleaning products said the study had made "sensational statements". (Photo: Getty Images / iStockphoto)

Researchers collected faecal samples from 757 3- to 4-month-old babies and interviewed mothers about their use of household products. They then followed the weight gain in babies up to the age of 3 years.

Research, while establishing a convincing link between intestinal bacteria and weight in adulthood as did previous research, it has not been proven that it was a causal link.

Representatives of the cleaning products industry said that they were "disappointed with the sensational statements".

Richard Sedlak, executive vice president of technical and international affairs at the American Cleaning Institute, said in a statement that researchers were unaware of other reasons for overweight children.

"Based on our scientific and technical analysis, the assumptions made by the researchers do not really stand up," said Sedlak. "There were notable limitations in the research, as reported by the editors of the" Journal ", with a study plan that ignored all interventions in the lives of children between 3 months and 3 years of age and there was 39; did not take into account the introduction and feeding of children. "

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