X
TAP top app download banner
theAsianparent Singapore Logo
theAsianparent Singapore Logo
Product Guide
Sign in
  • Together Against RSV
  • Pregnancy
    • Due date calculator
    • I'm pregnant
    • Trying To Conceive
    • Labour
    • After birth
    • Baby loss
  • Parenting
    • Parent's Guide
    • Relationship & Sex
  • Child
    • Newborn
    • Baby
    • Toddler
    • Pre-Schooler
    • Kid
    • Pre-Teen & Teen
  • Feeding & Nutrition
    • Diseases-Injuries
    • Breastfeeding & Formula
    • Meal Planner
    • Health
    • Allergies & Conditions
    • Vaccinations
  • Education
    • Pre-School
    • Primary School
    • Secondary School
    • Primary School Directory
  • Lifestyle
    • Money
    • Travel & Leisure
    • Fashion
    • Home
    • Fitness
    • Contests & promotions
  • Events
  • Holiday Hub
  • Aptamil
    • Immunity
    • Intelligence
  • TAP Recommends
  • Shopping
  • Press Releases
  • Project Sidekicks
  • Community
  • Advertise With Us
  • Contact Us
  • VIP

Your Dirty House Could Be Responsible for Your Child’s Obesity

2 min read
Your Dirty House Could Be Responsible for Your Child’s Obesity

A new study suggests that the dust in your home may be causing your kid’s predisposition to obesity

According to a new study, the chemicals found in the dust in your home may be hastening your child’s weight gain and increasing their predisposition to obesity.

The Duke University-led study estimated that children ingest about 50 milligrams of dust every day.

Now, you may be thinking that your house is squeaky clean but we all know that dust can hide practically anywhere.

The chemicals found in dust are prone to activating (in early childhood) what is known as the PRARgamma receptor in the body, a key factor in obesity.

(PRARgamma is short for peroxisome proliferator-activated nuclear receptor gamma, a component which regulates fat metabolism, cell death, and cell proliferation.

These chemicals are also found in flame retardants, lubricants, and plastic.

Your Dirty House Could Be Responsible for Your Childs Obesity

The study was published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology and included 25 dust samples from homes, gyms, and offices at levels approximating a typical child’s daily dust exposure.

More than half of the samples tested positive for the aforementioned receptor–which simply means that the dust found in your home may be flipping the “on switch” of obesity potential in your kid’s body.

Research is currently underway to further pinpoint exactly what other health effects these chemicals, which are unavoidable in the home and outside the home, may cause in a child’s developing body.

“We are continuing to build on this research to determine what type of health effects may be caused by this level of activation in children,” says lead study author Heather Stapleton of Duke’s Nicholas School of Environment, in a statement published on the Duke University website.

You could try getting your kids involved in cleaning up after themselves but make sure they wear masks.

Though the findings of the study have yet to be deemed conclusive, it helps to know that we need to be extra vigilant in keeping our homes clean and that even the little things can greatly impact our kid’s health.

Partner Stories
Is Your Child’s Car Seat Still Safe? The EU Standard That Just Expired—and What It Means for You
Is Your Child’s Car Seat Still Safe? The EU Standard That Just Expired—and What It Means for You
Is Your Child’s Tummy Troubles Causing You Sleepless Nights? Lactogen 3 is Your Solution!
Is Your Child’s Tummy Troubles Causing You Sleepless Nights? Lactogen 3 is Your Solution!
Mom to Mom: Caring for your baby's skin naturally while being sustainable
Mom to Mom: Caring for your baby's skin naturally while being sustainable
Parenting Lesson from a New Mum - Don’t Try to Do it All on Your Own!
Parenting Lesson from a New Mum - Don’t Try to Do it All on Your Own!

If you have any insights, questions or comments regarding the topic, please share them with us!

Got a parenting concern? Read articles or ask away and get instant answers on our app. Download theAsianparent Community on iOS or Android now!

img
Written by

Bianchi Mendoza

  • Home
  • /
  • Parent's Guide
  • /
  • Your Dirty House Could Be Responsible for Your Child’s Obesity
Share:
  • 8 Common Phrases That Quietly Hurt Kids Emotionally

    8 Common Phrases That Quietly Hurt Kids Emotionally

  • How a Video Game and a Discord Chat Helped One Teen Rebuild His Life

    How a Video Game and a Discord Chat Helped One Teen Rebuild His Life

  • Outrage in Sydney: Assault of 5-Year-Old Girl Sparks Urgent Review of School Safety Protocols

    Outrage in Sydney: Assault of 5-Year-Old Girl Sparks Urgent Review of School Safety Protocols

  • 8 Common Phrases That Quietly Hurt Kids Emotionally

    8 Common Phrases That Quietly Hurt Kids Emotionally

  • How a Video Game and a Discord Chat Helped One Teen Rebuild His Life

    How a Video Game and a Discord Chat Helped One Teen Rebuild His Life

  • Outrage in Sydney: Assault of 5-Year-Old Girl Sparks Urgent Review of School Safety Protocols

    Outrage in Sydney: Assault of 5-Year-Old Girl Sparks Urgent Review of School Safety Protocols

Get advice on your pregnancy and growing baby. Sign up for our newsletter
  • Pregnancy
  • Family Occasions
  • Lifestyle
  • Normal Delivery
  • Ages & Stages
  • Trying To Conceive
  • News
  • TAP Community
  • Advertise With Us
  • Contact Us
  • Become a Contributor


  • Singapore flag Singapore
  • Thailand flag Thailand
  • Indonesia flag Indonesia
  • Philippines flag Philippines
  • Malaysia flag Malaysia
  • Vietnam flag Vietnam
© Copyright theAsianparent 2025. All rights reserved
About Us|Privacy Policy|Terms of Use |Sitemap HTML
  • Tools
  • Articles
  • Feed
  • Poll

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it