Too much food and too little exercise are the main reasons for the obesity epidemic, a problem that's plaguing much of the world, especially within the U.S. Is it possible, however, that the chemicals in the environment are contributing to the public health crisis? Researchers are investigating this issue to determine the answer.
As documented by Open Access Government, leading this effort are scientific experts from the University of Southern California and the University of California-Davis. They note that both clinical and animal-based studies on environmental chemicals show at the very least associations between high weight levels when subjects are exposed to certain substances. DDT, for instance, is perhaps most well known for controlling the pest population but studies suggest that when children and adults are in the vicinity of dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane, people are more likely to have higher body mass index levels. A BMI of over 30 is indicative of obesity.
Nearly 1 in 5 children are obese
Furthermore, the researchers noted that expectant mothers who smoke or who live in high volume traffic areas have been shown to produce babies who may struggle with childhood obesity. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 13.7 million children and adolescents in the U.S. – ranging between 2 and 19 years of age – are obese, having BMIs of 30 or over. That's the equivalent of approximately 18.5 percent, or 1 in 5 kids.
Studies involving animals have arrived at similar conclusions, in terms of association between environmental chemicals and weight gain. The researchers cited industrial chemical tributyltin, or TBT, as one example, which analysis has shown activates the receptors in the body that produce adipocytes, or fat cells.
"Consistent with these observations, experimental animal models exposed to environmentally relevant concentrations of TBT during development have increased fat accumulation in adipose tissues and the liver compared to control animals," experts from USC and UC-Davis explained. "Of concern, these studies suggest that the obesogenic effect of TBT is transgenerational, meaning that TBT may influence obesity risk in not only the individual exposed during development but also in the children and even grandchildren of the exposed individual."
Obesogens may alter the body's appetite
The same can be said for obesogens. As noted defined by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, obesogens are endocrine disrupting chemicals that are chiefly found in cigarette smoke, certain flame retardants and PVC piping. Studies suggest that obesogens alter how fat cells develop and can encourage weight gain by promoting feelings of hunger rather than satiety.
The researchers referenced how an animal study linked the obesogenic effects found in air pollution was associated with weight gain by changing hormonal receptors that regulate the appetite.
They urge primary care physicians to educate their patients on the linkages between environmental chemicals and weight control, helping them avoid the diseases associated with obesity such as diabetes and hypertension.
