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Current Obesity Reports
Published in: Current Obesity Reports 1/2017

Open Access 01-03-2017 | Etiology of Obesity (T Gill, Section Editor)

Endocrine Disruptors and Obesity

Author: Philippa D. Darbre

Published in: Current Obesity Reports | Issue 1/2017

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Abstract

Purpose of Review

The purpose of this review was to summarise current evidence that some environmental chemicals may be able to interfere in the endocrine regulation of energy metabolism and adipose tissue structure.

Recent Findings

Recent findings demonstrate that such endocrine-disrupting chemicals, termed “obesogens”, can promote adipogenesis and cause weight gain. This includes compounds to which the human population is exposed in daily life through their use in pesticides/herbicides, industrial and household products, plastics, detergents, flame retardants and as ingredients in personal care products. Animal models and epidemiological studies have shown that an especially sensitive time for exposure is in utero or the neonatal period.

Summary

In summarising the actions of obesogens, it is noteworthy that as their structures are mainly lipophilic, their ability to increase fat deposition has the added consequence of increasing the capacity for their own retention. This has the potential for a vicious spiral not only of increasing obesity but also increasing the retention of other lipophilic pollutant chemicals with an even broader range of adverse actions. This might offer an explanation as to why obesity is an underlying risk factor for so many diseases including cancer.
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Metadata
Title
Endocrine Disruptors and Obesity
Author
Philippa D. Darbre
Publication date
01-03-2017
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Current Obesity Reports / Issue 1/2017
Electronic ISSN: 2162-4968
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s13679-017-0240-4

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