Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 19, 2025

Collection of Alfalfa Root Exudates to Study the Impact of Di2-ethylhexyl Phthalate on Metabolite Production
Published on: June 2, 2023
Association between phthalate exposure and obesity risk: A meta-analysis of observational studies
Qian Wu1, Gang Li2, Chen-Yang Zhao3
1Department of Environmental Hygiene, Public Health College, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province 150086, China; Yichang Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Yichang, Hubei Province 443000, China.
Abstract:
According to epidemiological studies, phthalate exposure is associated with an increased risk of obesity in children and adults; however, these observations remain debatable. Therefore, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of the current literature to explore the effects of phthalate exposure on obesity. A systematic search was performed from inception to July 2022 in PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, and Web of Science. Quality assessment was completed using criteria modified from Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) for the included studies. Meta-analysis showed that childhood exposure to MnBP, MBP, MEP, MiBP, and MECPP was positively correlated with obesity. In adults, MMP, MEP, and MiBP were positively correlated with adult abdominal obesity, while MEHHP, MECPP, and MCOP were positively correlated with adult general obesity. Subgroup analysis revealed that the positive correlation was particularly significant in women, as well as in Europe and the United States. Overall, a substantial association exists between phthalate exposure and obesity in children and adults. Sex and study site may provide limited sources of heterogeneity.
Related Concept Videos
Obesity
Preparedness and Phobias
Types of Biopharmaceutical Studies: Controlled and Non-Controlled Approaches
Non-controlled studies, commonly employed for initial exploration, lack a control group, rendering them susceptible to biases and external influences. In contrast,...
Cholesterol: Significance and Regulation
Considering cholesterol and...
Types of Toxins
Air pollutants, primarily gases, pose significant threats to respiratory health, leading to conditions like hypoxia, lung cancer, and in extreme cases, death.
Environmental pollutants like...
Overview of Lipid Metabolism
Lipolysis: The Breakdown of Lipids:
Lipolysis is the process of breaking down lipids, particularly triglycerides, into glycerol and fatty acids. This process typically occurs in the adipose tissue and is triggered by various hormones, including glucagon and...

