Diet quality in relation to serum perfluoroalkyl substance concentrations in Canadian preadolescents
By Ashlyn Simpson, Mandy Fisher, Stéphanie Harrison, Anne-Sophie Morisset, Michael M Borghese, Joseph M Braun, Maryse F Bouchard, Trisha Saha, Constadina Panagiotopoulos, Linda Booij, Katherine Morrison, and Jillian Ashley-Martin
Environ Res
May 6, 2025
DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2025.121790
Background
Exposure to perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) is concerning because some of these chemicals are associated with health effects. Preadolescents eat more food per body weight and may be more affected by substances in food compared to adults.
Objective
Estimate how diet quality and nutrients are associated with concurrently measured PFAS concentrations in Canadian preadolescents.
Methods
Using data from 157 participants (7 to 11 years) in a Maternal-Infant Research on Environmental Chemicals follow-up study (2018 - 2021), we analyzed serum concentrations of 9 PFAS, and derived 2019-Healthy Eating Food Index (HEFI-2019) scores and nutrient intakes from 24-hour diet recalls. We used multivariable linear regression to estimate cross-sectional associations between diet and serum PFAS concentrations.
Results
Saturated fat consumption was associated with higher serum perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) concentrations. The fruits and vegetables score was associated with higher perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA), and perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA); similar associations appeared with the HEFI-2019 total score. Percentage of energy intake (%E) from protein was associated with lower perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), PFOS, and perfluorohexanesulphonic acid (PFHxS) while %E from fat was associated with higher PFDA and PFOS. Fiber and iron intakes were associated with higher PFHxS. Vitamin D intake was associated with lower PFNA.
Conclusions
We observed some associations between diet and PFAS. Our findings may be partially explained by toxicokinetics and PFAS presence in Canadian food systems. However, our interpretation is hindered by lack of temporality and potential confounding. Additional investigations which integrate food systems information paired with PFAS concentrations from food and biomonitoring are required.
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