Do environmental pollutants increase obesity risk in humans?

Area of Science:

• Environmental Health
• Toxicology
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Obesity is a global health crisis with complex contributing factors.
• Environmental pollutants are increasingly suspected as contributors to rising obesity rates.
• Existing research on chemical pollutants and obesity shows mixed findings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review and examine the associations between chemical pollutants and obesity in human subjects.
• To synthesize evidence from cross-sectional and cohort studies on pollutant-obesity links.
• To identify patterns and specific chemicals associated with obesity risk.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature review of studies published between January 1995 and June 2016.
• Searches conducted in PubMed and MEDLINE databases.
• Inclusion of 35 cross-sectional and cohort studies reporting on pollutant-obesity associations.

Main Results:

• 16 studies (45.71%) reported a positive association between pollutants and obesity.
• 33 studies reported at least one positive association with chemicals like PCBs, BPA, and DDT.
• Associations varied by chemical, exposure level, and subject characteristics, leading to mixed results.

Conclusions:

• Accumulated evidence supports a positive association between environmental pollutants and human obesity.
• Further large-scale, long-term studies are necessary to confirm impacts and elucidate mechanisms.
• Understanding pollutant effects on the endocrine system is crucial for obesity prevention.