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Contribution of Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals to the Obesity Epidemic: Consequences of Developmental Exposure

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Book cover Multi-System Endocrine Disruption

Part of the book series: Research and Perspectives in Endocrine Interactions ((RPEI))

Abstract

Some environmental chemicals are known to disrupt the programming of endocrine signaling pathways that are established during development, resulting in adverse effects later in life. Initially, most endocrine disruptor studies focused on alterations in fertility and reproductive tract endpoints; however, recent evidence implicates developmental exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) with a growing list of adverse health consequences, including an association with obesity and diabetes. These diseases and their related complications are quickly becoming significant public health problems worldwide and are fast reaching epidemic proportions in many countries. Herein, data from experimental animals are summarized that show an association of environmental estrogens – such as the synthetic estrogen diethylstilbestrol (DES), the high-volume production monomer bisphenol A (BPA) used in the production of polycarbonate plastics, and phytoestrogens found in foods such as soy products – with the development of obesity. In addition, the link to other EDCs with various hormone-disruption activities, such as organotins, phthalates, pesticides, and persistent organic pollutants, are discussed. These animal studies are supported by both experiments with cells in culture and epidemiology surveys that suggest that EDCs contribute to the obesity/diabetes epidemic. The association of EDCs with obesity and related diseases does not diminish the roles of diet and exercise; however, it does point out that exposures to EDCs during development are risk factors that should be avoided wherever possible. This idea shifts the focus on obesity from treatment to prevention.

The author is retired but the research was conducted while employed by NIEHS.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Durham, NC, USA

    Retha R. Newbold

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  1. Retha R. Newbold
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Correspondence to Retha R. Newbold .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. , Developmental Neuroendocrinology Unit, G, University of Liège, Place du XX Aout 7, Liège, Belgium

    Jean-Pierre Bourguignon

  2. Campus de Beaulieu, GERHM Inserm U625, Avenue du Général Leclerc, Rennes, 35042, France

    Bernard Jégou

  3. Inserm U648, UFR Biomédicale, Centre Universitaire des Saints-Pères, Paris Cedex 06, 75270, France

    Bernard Kerdelhué

  4. , Departments of Physiology and, University of Turku, Kiinamyllynkatu 10, Turku, 20520, Finland

    Jorma Toppari

  5. Fondation Ipsen, Quai Georges Gorse 65, Boulogne-Billancourt, 92100, France

    Yves Christen

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Newbold, R.R. (2011). Contribution of Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals to the Obesity Epidemic: Consequences of Developmental Exposure. In: Bourguignon, JP., Jégou, B., Kerdelhué, B., Toppari, J., Christen, Y. (eds) Multi-System Endocrine Disruption. Research and Perspectives in Endocrine Interactions. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-22775-2_7

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