For decades, people have turned to strict diets, advanced weight-loss programs and even surgery to shed pounds. But a new study suggests an invisible enemy could be quietly sabotaging those efforts — “forever chemicals” known as PFAS.
According to Health Day, researchers from the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California report that teenagers with high levels of PFAS in their blood were significantly more likely to regain weight after undergoing bariatric surgery. The findings, published August 14 in the journal Obesity, raise alarm about how environmental exposure may undermine even the most aggressive weight-loss interventions.
Weight Regain Despite Surgery
The team tracked 186 adolescents who underwent bariatric surgery between 2007 and 2012, collecting blood samples beforehand to test for seven types of PFAS. They then monitored the participants’ weight, body mass index (BMI) and waist size for up to five years after surgery.
Results were striking. Those with the highest pre-surgery levels of certain PFAS compounds regained far more weight than those with lower levels. For example, teens with the highest levels of perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) gained back about 47 pounds within five years, compared to 36 pounds among peers with the lowest PFOS exposure. Another PFAS chemical, perfluoroheptanesulfonic acid (PFHpS), was linked to an average yearly weight regain of 4.3 percent of body weight, compared to 2.7 percent in the low-exposure group.
“These findings show a clear association between PFAS exposure and weight-related outcomes in bariatric surgery for adolescents,” lead author Brittney Baumert said in a news release. “With the growing use of weight loss interventions, it’s critical to understand how these chemicals may affect long-term success.”
Why PFAS Are So Hard to Escape
PFAS, short for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are human-made chemicals that combine carbon and fluorine atoms — a bond so strong they hardly break down, earning them the name “forever chemicals.” Since the 1940s, they’ve been used in everyday products: nonstick cookware, waterproof clothing, food wrappers, stain-resistant furniture and firefighting foams.
Unfortunately, their persistence means they accumulate in the environment — and in our bodies. Drinking water is one of the largest sources of exposure in the United States, but they’re also present in certain foods, cosmetics, and even dust from household items.
Previous studies have shown PFAS can disrupt hormones, impair metabolism and potentially contribute to weight gain. Now, research is beginning to link them to more specific outcomes, such as reduced effectiveness of weight-loss treatments.
Health Risks Beyond Weight
The dangers of PFAS are not limited to waistlines. According to the Mayo Clinic, these chemicals have been linked to cardiovascular risks, especially in women. A recent American Heart Association study found that middle-aged women with higher PFAS levels were 70 percent more likely to develop high blood pressure than those with lower levels.
Dr. DeLisa Fairweather, a cardiovascular researcher at Mayo Clinic, explains that the effects can be compounded during menopause. “When estrogen levels drop, the immune response changes, creating a more proinflammatory state,” she said. “This can increase the risk for heart disease, atherosclerosis and stroke.”
PFAS have also been detected in fish, dairy products and other foods, largely due to contaminated water and agricultural practices. Heating food in certain plastics can release PFAS into meals, prompting experts to recommend glass containers instead.
A Modifiable Risk
Baumert stresses that PFAS are a “modifiable risk,” meaning exposure can be reduced through stronger regulations and personal choices. Policymakers are already considering stricter limits in drinking water, and researchers are calling for broader public education.
The USC team now plans to study whether PFAS could also affect the success of weight-loss drugs such as Ozempic or Zepbound, and whether they raise risks for metabolic disorders like type 2 diabetes or fatty liver disease.
According to Health Day, researchers from the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California report that teenagers with high levels of PFAS in their blood were significantly more likely to regain weight after undergoing bariatric surgery. The findings, published August 14 in the journal Obesity, raise alarm about how environmental exposure may undermine even the most aggressive weight-loss interventions.
Weight Regain Despite Surgery
The team tracked 186 adolescents who underwent bariatric surgery between 2007 and 2012, collecting blood samples beforehand to test for seven types of PFAS. They then monitored the participants’ weight, body mass index (BMI) and waist size for up to five years after surgery.
Results were striking. Those with the highest pre-surgery levels of certain PFAS compounds regained far more weight than those with lower levels. For example, teens with the highest levels of perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) gained back about 47 pounds within five years, compared to 36 pounds among peers with the lowest PFOS exposure. Another PFAS chemical, perfluoroheptanesulfonic acid (PFHpS), was linked to an average yearly weight regain of 4.3 percent of body weight, compared to 2.7 percent in the low-exposure group.
“These findings show a clear association between PFAS exposure and weight-related outcomes in bariatric surgery for adolescents,” lead author Brittney Baumert said in a news release. “With the growing use of weight loss interventions, it’s critical to understand how these chemicals may affect long-term success.”
Why PFAS Are So Hard to Escape
PFAS, short for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are human-made chemicals that combine carbon and fluorine atoms — a bond so strong they hardly break down, earning them the name “forever chemicals.” Since the 1940s, they’ve been used in everyday products: nonstick cookware, waterproof clothing, food wrappers, stain-resistant furniture and firefighting foams.
Unfortunately, their persistence means they accumulate in the environment — and in our bodies. Drinking water is one of the largest sources of exposure in the United States, but they’re also present in certain foods, cosmetics, and even dust from household items.
Previous studies have shown PFAS can disrupt hormones, impair metabolism and potentially contribute to weight gain. Now, research is beginning to link them to more specific outcomes, such as reduced effectiveness of weight-loss treatments.
Health Risks Beyond Weight
The dangers of PFAS are not limited to waistlines. According to the Mayo Clinic, these chemicals have been linked to cardiovascular risks, especially in women. A recent American Heart Association study found that middle-aged women with higher PFAS levels were 70 percent more likely to develop high blood pressure than those with lower levels.
Dr. DeLisa Fairweather, a cardiovascular researcher at Mayo Clinic, explains that the effects can be compounded during menopause. “When estrogen levels drop, the immune response changes, creating a more proinflammatory state,” she said. “This can increase the risk for heart disease, atherosclerosis and stroke.”
PFAS have also been detected in fish, dairy products and other foods, largely due to contaminated water and agricultural practices. Heating food in certain plastics can release PFAS into meals, prompting experts to recommend glass containers instead.
A Modifiable Risk
Baumert stresses that PFAS are a “modifiable risk,” meaning exposure can be reduced through stronger regulations and personal choices. Policymakers are already considering stricter limits in drinking water, and researchers are calling for broader public education.
The USC team now plans to study whether PFAS could also affect the success of weight-loss drugs such as Ozempic or Zepbound, and whether they raise risks for metabolic disorders like type 2 diabetes or fatty liver disease.
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