Environmental Obesogens: Mechanisms and Controversies
Jerrold J Heindel1, Bruce Blumberg2
1Program on Endocrine Disruption Strategies, Commonweal, Bolinas, California 94924, USA.
Annual Review of Pharmacology and Toxicology
|July 26, 2018
Summary
Environmental obesogens, chemicals promoting obesity, may contribute to the global obesity pandemic by disrupting metabolic set points and appetite regulation. Further research is needed to understand their full impact.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Endocrinology
- Public Health
Background:
- Obesity is a global health crisis linked to chronic diseases and high healthcare costs.
- The traditional view attributes obesity to caloric imbalance, but other factors are involved.
- The obesogen hypothesis suggests environmental chemicals contribute to obesity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review evidence supporting the obesogen hypothesis.
- To identify knowledge gaps regarding obesogens' role in obesity.
- To explore how environmental chemicals impact adipogenesis and metabolic regulation.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing scientific literature on obesogens and obesity.
- Analysis of studies investigating the effects of environmental chemicals on adipocytes.
- Examination of research on endocrine disruption and metabolic set points.
Main Results:
- Obesogens can promote adipocyte (fat cell) commitment, differentiation, and size.
- These chemicals may alter metabolic set points and hormonal appetite regulation.
- Many obesogens are endocrine-disrupting chemicals found in common products.
Conclusions:
- Environmental obesogens are potential contributors to the obesity pandemic.
- Further research is crucial to fully understand the extent of obesogen influence.
- Addressing obesogen exposure may be key to combating obesity.
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