Are environmental contaminants responsible for ‘globesity’?

Abstract

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), worldwide obesity has nearly doubled since 1980. In the previous year 42 million children under the age of 5 were overweight or obese. The concern of governments, the scientific community, and health services is noticed in the causes behind the prevalence of obesity and its prevention. Taking into consideration the reasons underlying obesity, toxic substances found in the environment and the food system have been receiving significant attention. Thus, the aim of this paper was to explore the associations between numerous environmental contaminants (heavy metals, persistent organic pollutants) and obesity. Our hypothesis was that neuroendocrine system disturbances caused by these xenobiotics play a crucial role in the obesity epidemic. The neurotoxicity of these compounds could be connected with the reward center in the brain as well as the endocrine system, and lead to an increase of food intake and, consequently, obesity. Taking into consideration global health as well as the best interests of society, studies in this area are crucial for understanding this problem.