A new study shows a potential correlation between overweight kids and household disinfectants.

According to Newsweek, Canadian Medical Association Journal researchers examined the gut bacteria from more than 750 babies who were between three and four months old. The results showed that children who lived in homes where disinfectants are used at least once a week had a higher body mass index (BMI) when they turned 3 than children whose homes used more eco-friendly cleaning products.

In particular, children in homes where disinfectants were used on a regular basis had elevated levels of Lachnospiraceae bacteria in their systems and had higher BMI numbers.

The use of eco-friendly cleaning products had the opposite effect.

Dr. Anita Kozyrskyj of the University of Alberta told Newsweek that the cleaners could be the issue, but some mothers could simply be leading healthier lives than others.

"A possible explanation is that mothers who used eco-friendly products during pregnancy had more nutritious diets and a healthier pregnancy," Kozyrskyj said. "As a result, their healthy microbiome was passed on to their newborns, leading to both a lower chance of their infants having lower levels of Enterobacteriaceae three to four months later and becoming overweight."

Parents have long been told to keep cleaning supplies away from their children because of the danger posed by ingesting them.

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