“You are what you eat.”
“Calories in vs. calories out.”
“Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels.”
Most parents were taught these and other misleading messages about food and body weight their whole lives. And in fact, in the 1960s, doctors’ and scientists’ understanding of body weight was fairly straightforward. If you wanted to be thinner, then conventional wisdom said to eat less and exercise more. However, modern research has taught us that this simplistic model is far too limited.
We now know that a person’s body weight is a result of many factors. Genetics, metabolism, hormones, psychological influences and environmental factors, in addition to diet and exercise, all play a role. We also know that nationwide obesity rates have more than tripled since the 1960s for both adults and children. But why?
One factor in the news lately is obesogens. These endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are found in everything from plastics and cookware to toys and personal care items. These chemicals are so common in everyday items that they contaminate the food we eat and the water we drink. Obesogens mimic or block hormones, which then interferes with how the body regulates weight and metabolism. Specifically, early research has shown obesogens affect your body by:
- Increasing fat cells — Some obesogens cause your body to produce new fat cells. Others increase the storage of fat in existing fat cells.
- Blocking fat burning — Obesogens also may change the rate of fat cell production vs. destruction. This can shift your body’s energy balance to favor calorie storage and make it more difficult for your body to release fat stores. In addition, they may change your gut microbiome to promote food storage.
- Altering metabolism and appetite — Obesogens may disrupt your body’s basal metabolic rate (BMR). The BMR dictates how many calories your body needs to maintain its basic functions. Additionally, they have been shown to change hormones that control your hunger and fullness cues.
So, Are Obesogens Causing Weight Gain in Children?
So far, there is limited research on the effects of obesogens on humans. Much of the information we have now is based on animal studies. However, growing evidence suggests a link between exposure to obesogens and weight gain. Even animals in captivity with controlled diets have gained weight over the last 25 years.
While humans of all ages are affected, obesogens may have a greater affect on infants and children. This is due to their rapid development during critical growth periods, including prenatal stages, infancy and early childhood. We know these chemicals pass to the fetus during pregnancy because EDCs have been found in the placenta, amniotic fluid and umbilical cord blood of newborns.
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Where Did Obesogens Come From?
A century ago, the chemicals in the environment were naturally occurring substances, such as minerals and plant-derived compounds. By the early 20th century, advances in chemistry and the Industrial Revolution led to the development and use of a few thousand synthetic chemicals. These were used primarily for industrial, agricultural and medical purposes. Between 1978 and 2012, the Environmental Protection Agency registered 84,000 new chemical substances.
Common Types of Obesogens
There are common types of obesogens:
- Bisphenol-A (BPA) — Likely the most recognizable, BPA is a synthetic chemical used in plastics and commonly found in food and beverage containers.
- Phthalates — A man-made chemical used to make plastics more durable and flexible. These are found in toys, cosmetics, medicines, paint and food packaging.
- Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) — A surfactant used in waterproof clothing, nonstick cookware, stain repellent and microwaveable food items.
- Pesticides — Used in conventional agriculture on crops
- Organotins — Fungicides used to treat wood for building materials and herbicides used to control unwanted plants or weeds.
- Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) — Flame retardants used to treat fabrics or furniture so they’re less likely to catch fire.
How To Reduce Exposure to Obesogens?
Current data is limited and more studies are needed to establish direct causation between obesogens and weight gain. However, parents can limit their children’s exposure to these chemicals by:
- Choosing BPA-free products, especially baby bottles, sippy cups and water bottles
- Using glass food containers instead of plastic, especially when heating
- Avoiding plastics with recycle codes 3 (some tote and grocery bags, vinyl pool toys, plumbing pipes, plastic cling wrap) and 7 (large multiple-gallon water bottles, some baby bottles)
- Choosing organic food if this is an option available for you
- Washing conventional produce thoroughly to reduce pesticide residue
- Opting for fragrance-free detergents, cosmetics and other personal care products
- Limiting the use of non-stick cookware
Obesity is a costly condition and a major public health concern. The causes of obesity are complex and varied. But parents who try to limit obesogens in their environment, offer whole foods when possible, and encourage physical activity, can help promote healthier outcomes for their children.
