Diet diary: The link between chemicals and the obesity epidemic

These chemicals are also being included in the obesogen category, which refers to molecules that inappropriately regulate fat and lipid metabolism to promote obesity.

A study published in 2007 in the journal Environmental International measured concentrations of pesticides and chemicals in blood samples of 700 pregnant mother–child pairs A 10-fold increase in the mothers’ pesticide concentrations was associated with higher risks of generalised and abdominal obesity, higher blood pressure and increased weight in the child.

Increasing number of studies now report that exposure to chemicals during critical periods of development at low doses alters developmental programming, resulting in obesity.

Increasing evidence also links the widespread exposure to pesticides to the global epidemics of type-2 diabetes and obesity. A 2015 animal study published in the journal Environmental Research reported that mice exposed to a commonly used pesticide (organophosphate), showed increase in food ingestion, blood glucose, cholesterol and body fat regulating hormones including ghrelin, leptin and insulin.

Identification of these obesogens, originating from pesticides and chemicals in our food and gene-environmental interaction, is an exciting area of future research. Meanwhile, a healthy diet, regular physical activity and stress management is surely a prudent approach to safeguard our well-being.