The Obesity Epidemic: What’s to Blame
Blades, R. (2017). The Obesity Epidemic: What’s To Blame? Green Science Policy, https://greensciencepolicy.org/the-obesity-epidemic-whats-to-blame/.
“…Over a decade ago, Japanese scientists discovered that low levels of certain compounds stimulate disturbing developmental changes. Their work inspired Dr. Bruce Blumberg from UC Irvine to expose pregnant mice to these compounds in 2006. “The offspring were born with more fat already stored, more fat cells, and became 5% to 20% fatter by adulthood.” By exposing them to obesogens in utero, Blumberg altered the physiology of the baby mice so that even when they ate and exercised normally, they were fatter. He coined the word obesogen to tag the dozens of chemicals that act on fat metabolism, including many phthalates, BPA, flame retardants, pesticides, and perfluoroalkyl compounds.”