Obesogen Hypothesis

Obesogens are endocrine disruptors that play a crucial role in altering lipid homeostasis and fat storage. They promote obesity by changing metabolic rate, disrupting energy balance, or modifying the regulation of appetite and satiety. Obesogens interfere with signal pathway of hormones to cells. They disrupt chemical message of hormones by turning on/off or modifying signals. The endocrine system is composed of glands that regulate hormones which control mood and energy levels. It is sensitive to environmental pollutants. Such pollutants influence how the body regulate feeling of hunger and fullness. The hormones associated with metabolism reduce the amount of calories burned and increase the storage of calories as fat.1 These chemicals are

It states that increase in rates of obesity was progressed with an exponential increase in synthetic chemical production. Human environment has changed significantly during last few decades due to the increased chemical production and usage of such chemicals. In their daily lives, many people are now exposed to many forms of these chemicals which include pesticides, dyes, medicines, plastics, makeups, and perfumes. This idea that exposure to chemicals is associated with the obesity epidemic is often credited to an article by Paula Baillie-Hamilton2. Her article presented the associated weight gain in experimental animals with low dose chemicals exposures. It shows that the current epidemic in obesity cannot be explained entirely by increased food intake and sedentary lifestyles. The level of such chemicals in the environment have coincided with the increasing incidence of obesity. Therefore, such environmental changes might be responsible for the current obesity epidemic rather than overeating, inactivity, and underlying genetic predisposition which have been blamed as the root

Approximately 6 billion pounds of BPA are produced each year.8 It is a building block of polycarbonate plastic and a component of food can lining. Thus, BPA can be easily seen in cash register receipts, polycarbonate plastics, food cans, and pipes that supply drinking water. Human exposure to BPA primarily occurs through diet. As in the case when foods are in direct contact with any packaging materials, BPA may migrate into food and then to human as they consume food. Although it can be excreted rapidly from the body, BPA results in weight gain because it is stored in the fats. Survey of BPA concentrations in participants aged 6 years or older showed that the significant amount of BPA was detected in the urine of 92.6 % of 2500 individuals.9 The interest in the safe use of the chemical in the food packaging has resulted in increased scientific interests. Studies in adults show an associated between high BPA levels and obesity. Some laboratory research has also found that children who were more exposed to the chemical are more likely to become obese and have adverse levels of body fat than those who didn’t. 10 Many of the children were exposed to BPA because it was previously used to make many products for them, like plastic toys, sippy cups, and baby