Scientists show that exposure to low-dose BPA during fetal development interferes with leptin and hypothalamic feeding circuitry, disrupts regulation of feeding behavior, predisposes to obesity in later life
DEHP disrupts insulin signaling
Scientists find that long-term oral exposure of adult rats to the phthalate DEHP disrupts insulin signaling pathways, resulting in the development of insulin resistance
BPA and childhood obesity
New study finds association between prenatal BPA exposure and body fat outcomes in New York City children
Food packaging chemicals in ToxCast
Scientists use ToxCast data to prioritize food-relevant chemicals for safety testing; identify obesity- and diabetes-related chemicals, and chemicals affecting growth and development; multiple food contact chemicals found to be active in ToxCast assays
Scientific consensus on chemicals and obesity
International scientists release Uppsala consensus statement agreeing on potential impact of environmental contaminants on metabolism and obesity; call for urgent action to reduce chemical exposure
Childhood obesity and other chronic diseases
Obesity, asthma, autism, ADHD among U.S. children have continuously increased over past decade, new studies find; Mother Jones article discusses nutrition, chemicals and physical activity as key factors in childhood obesity
Focus on BPA analogues
Recent studies investigate effects of bisphenol A analogues such as BPS and BPF, reveal similar endocrine disrupting effects of analogues in cell lines and whole organisms
BPS may be adipogenic
Scientists show BPS treatment, similar to BPA, results in increased lipid accumulation and higher expression of adipogenesis-related genes in primary preadipocytes
Diabetes and chemicals
Role of chemicals in diabetes etiology not discussed in WHO Diabetes Day statements, despite existing scientific evidence; patient shares his story
Obesogenic chemicals should be avoided
Exposure to obesogens during early life predisposes for life-long obesity and associated diseases; scientists call on doctors to inform patients on the risks and mitigation measures