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Pollution, stress response, and obesity: A systematic review
Sandra El Kouche1, Sarah Halvick1,2, Chloe Morel1
1Inserm UMR 1256 Nutrition-Genetics-Environmental Risk Exposure (N-G-ERE), University of Lorraine, Nancy, France.
Summary
Environmental pollution, including chemicals and heavy metals, is linked to increased stress and obesity. This systematic review synthesizes evidence showing pollution activates stress pathways, promoting fat cell growth and weight gain.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Toxicology
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Limited literature synthesizes the links between environmental pollution, psychosocial stress, and obesity.
- Understanding these associations is crucial for public health initiatives.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and synthesize evidence on the effects of pollutants on stress response and adiposity.
- To investigate the role of specific chemical classes like organic compounds, pesticides, and heavy metals.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of MEDLINE, Embase, and Web of Science databases.
- Inclusion of studies on humans, animals, and cells examining pollutant effects on stress and adiposity.
- Quality and risk assessment using standardized tools (ToxRTool, BEES-C, SYRCLE, CAMARADES).
Main Results:
- A significant body of evidence demonstrates a positive association between pollution, stress response, and obesity.
- Pollutants activate the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and glucocorticoid signaling, promoting adipocyte differentiation and hyperphagia.
- Endocrine-disrupting chemicals impact pathways like PPARγ, contributing to adipocyte hyperplasia and hypertrophy.
Conclusions:
- Pollution acts as a significant environmental stressor, contributing to the development of obesity.
- The observed associations are modulated by factors such as sex, age, and the specific type of pollutant.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate specific mechanisms and develop targeted interventions.
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