Obesogens

Obesogens are man-made environmental chemicals that contribute to obesity through a mechanism separate from caloric intake. Obesogens act by mimicking estrogen, a fat-promoting hormone, driving fat accumulation regardless of diet quality or caloric balance. Obesogenic chemicals from various consumer sources act on estrogen receptors in the body by leaching synthetic compounds. Obesogens impair metabolic rate and can make conventional weight loss efforts frustratingly ineffective. SSRIs have obesogenic properties, and their presence in water supplies from pharmaceutical residue constitutes an environmental exposure route. Phthalates are endocrine disruptors with estrogenic activity used to make plastics more flexible, appearing in packaging and consumer products. Minimizing direct exposure to obesogen sources is the foundational step in reducing obesogen burden.