TITLE:
Obesity and obesity-related diseases: A consequence of our man-made chemical environment?
AUTHORS:
Eveline Dirinck, Philippe Jorens, Luc Van Gaal
KEYWORDS:
Obesity; Diabetes; Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals
JOURNAL NAME:
Health,
Vol.4 No.12A,
December
31,
2012
ABSTRACT: The prevalence of
obesity and its related disorders is currently attaining pandemic proportions,
both in the Western and the developing world. Although lifestyle choices are
commonly accepted as the main reasons, it has recently been suggested that environmental pollutants may provide an alternative cause. Several man-made chemicals have been shown to facilitate
the differentiation into adipocyte at environmentally relevant levels. This process is mediated through different
nuclear receptors. The endocrine function of the adipocyte itself is also
affected by chemicals. This article provides a compact overview of the
implicated chemicals and their modes of action. We also present the current
level of evidence, linking exposure to these endocrine disrupting chemicals and
obesity and its related diseases.