New study warns plastic children’s toys could make them fat

It's a worrying thought - the toys your child is playing with could be making them fat.

A Queensland study has found children could be more prone to obesity because of chemical Bisphenol A or BPA that commonly found in plastic toys, food containers and bottles.

Queensland researchers have found those exposed to high levels of BPA are 40 percent more likely to suffer from childhood obesity.

“BPA can influence the amount of fat within fat cells as well as the number of fat cells,” Doctor Bridget Maher from Child Health Research Centre said.

National watchdog Food Standards Australia and New Zealand claim the level humans are exposed to is too low to cause a health risk.

Many parents are now choosing to steer clear of plastic playthings altogether, replacing them with wooden or fabric toys to ensure they are truly BPA free.

Wellness stores have also reported a surge in sales of chemical free products.

“They [parents] feel like it’s really important to do the right things by their children,” Biome spokeswoman Nancy George said.