Obesity is a global issue that has been growing rapidly since 1975.
According to the World Health Organization, the number of overweight people has nearly tripled since then.
While high-fat foods, sugary carbs, and sedentary lifestyles are often blamed, some scientists believe there might be another, less visible factor at play: obesogens.
What Are Obesogens?
Barbara E. Corkey, a seasoned researcher in medicine and biochemistry, coined the term “obesogens” to describe chemicals that could contribute to obesity.
These chemicals may interfere with how our bodies manage fat, and they have been part of our environment for the last 50 years, showing up in our food, water, and even the air we breathe.
How Might These Chemicals Work?
Corkey suggests that obesogens could trick our bodies into storing more fat than necessary or make us feel hungry when we’re not.
This might be due to their impact on the “redox state” in our bodies, an internal signal that helps regulate energy levels. If obesogens disrupt this signal, we might gain weight without a clear reason.
These chemicals are often found in ultra-processed foods like chips and candy, which are far removed from their natural state. Research has shown that people who consume a lot of such foods tend to weigh more. Obesogens can also come from everyday chemicals found in fertilizers, plastics, and air pollution.
What Could This Mean for Obesity Treatment?
If Corkey’s hypothesis is correct, it could revolutionize obesity treatment. Current solutions focus mainly on diet and exercise. However, if chemicals are contributing to weight gain, we need to rethink our strategies.
The first step would be to identify these obesogens and find ways to remove them from our environment. If that proves too difficult, we might need to find ways to counteract their effects on our bodies.
While this theory is intriguing, it is still under review. Corkey’s findings have been published in a respected scientific journal, allowing other experts to test her theory. If obesogens are proven to be a significant factor in weight gain, it could change how we address the obesity crisis fundamentally.
As we continue to battle the rising tide of obesity, this new perspective on potential causes could be a game-changer. The next time you’re struggling with weight issues, remember that the problem might not just be your diet or activity level.
Hidden chemicals in our environment could also be contributing to weight gain. Stay informed about further research in this area—it may hold the key to a healthier future.
If you care about weight loss, please read studies about the right diet for weight loss in type 2 diabetes, and is it possible to lose weight without diet and exercise.
For more health information, please see recent studies about ginger’s journey in weight management ,and green tea: a cup of weight loss.
