It Isn’t Talked About.
One thing rarely mentioned in initiatives to combat obesity and disease is exposure to obesogenic environmental chemicals. This group of chemicals acts directly on fat cells to increase their number or storage by altering mechanisms that regulate appetite, satiety, and metabolic rate. For instance, studies show a strong correlation between BPA levels and worldwide obesity.
Still No Mention.
In an article for the Lansing State News, a representative for the American Cancer Society said, “We don’t know exactly where the risk is coming from…” when mentioning obesity is now poised to overtake smoking as the leading preventable cause of cancer.
The Link Between Obesity and Chemicals.
In 2013, the National Institutes of Health’s National Toxicology Program absolutely found an association between persistent pollutants and obesity. So, if belly fat increases the risk of cancer, can we please start talking about carcinogenic and endocrine disrupting chemicals stored in that fat?
Obesogenic Chemicals.
PCBs, phthalates, BPA and other such chemicals can disrupt normal metabolic processes that develop early in life and increase one’s susceptibility to weight gain across the lifespan. Additionally, a number of these obesogenic chemicals can take long periods of time to produce ill effects, so the impact won’t be realized for many years.
No One is Talking, So Self-Educate.
Because information is lacking on where we are exposed, we need to self-educate. The Collaborative on Health and the Environment is an excellent place to start:
• Learn more about avoiding BPA
• Learn more about PCBs
• Learn more about reducing exposure to phthalates
Sexual Health