Environmental Toxins Are Worsening Obesity Pandemic, Say Scientists; Obesogens

[appalachiablue]

- The Guardian, May 19, 2022. - Ed. *Exclusive: Pollutants can upset body’s metabolic thermostat with some even causing obesity to be passed on to children.

Chemical pollution in the environment is supersizing the global obesity epidemic, according to a major scientific review.

The idea that the toxins called “obesogens” can affect how the body controls weight is not yet part of mainstream medicine. But the dozens of scientists behind the review argue that the evidence is now so strong that it should be. “This is critical because the current clinical management of obese patients is woefully inadequate,” they said. The most disturbing aspect of the evidence is that some chemical impacts that increase weight can be passed down through generations by changing how genes work.

Pollutants cited by the researchers as increasing obesity include bisphenol A (BPA), which is widely added to plastics, as well as some pesticides, flame retardants & air pollution. Global obesity has tripled since 1975, with more people now obese or overweight than underweight, & is increasing in every country studied. Almost 2 billion adults are now too heavy & 40 million children under 5 are obese or overweight. “The focus of the clinical people is on calories- if you eat more calories, you’re going to be more fat,” says Dr Jerrold Heindel, lead author of one of the 3 review papers, & formerly at the US National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.

“So they wait until you get obese, then they’ll look at giving you diets, drugs, or surgery. “If that really worked, we should see a decline in the rates of obesity,” he said. “But we don’t – obesity continues to rise, especially in children. The real question is, why do people eat more? The obesogenic paradigm focuses on that and provides data that indicate that these chemicals are what can do that.” Furthermore, the scientists say, the approach offers the potential to prevent obesity by avoiding exposure to pollutants, especially in pregnant women and babies: “Prevention saves lives, while costing far less than any [treatment].” - Strong evidence: The evidence for obesogens is set out by more than 40 scientists in 3 review papers, published in the peer-reviewed journal Biochemical Pharmacology & citing 1,400 studies.

These chemicals are everywhere: in water & dust, food packaging, personal hygiene products & household cleaners, furniture & electronics. The review notes about 50 chemicals as having good evidence of obesogenic effects, from experiments on human cells & animals, & epidemiological studies of people. These include BPA & phthalates, also a plastic additive. A 2020 analysis of 15 studies found a significant link between BPA levels & obesity in adults in 12 of them. Other obesogens are pesticides, including DDT & tributyltin, former flame retardants & their newer replacements, dioxins & PCBs, & air pollution. Several recent studies link exposure to dirty air early in life to obesity. The review also names PFAS compounds – “forever chemicals” due to their longevity in the environment – as obesogens. These are found in food packaging, cookware, & furniture, including some child car seats....

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/may/19/environmental-toxins-are-worsening-obesity-pandemic-say-scientists

[exboyfil]

1. Pull the cheese and meat

off those buns and pizza and move it the to right.

Move the apple and half of the tomatoes to the left.

That is my diet. 70 pounds down since December.

[SheltieLover]

2. Congrats!

[appalachiablue]

3. Good for you! That's inspiring, I need to get serious too.

[SheltieLover]

4. I've been looking into "Healthy Keto" diet

Dr. Berg. Seems like a great program. Having issues with giving up chocolate, thou.

[Skittles]

5. don't give up your favorite foods

you can eat chocolate, you just cannot eat all the chocolate you want