Sofia Martinez
The global obesity rate has tripled since 1975, and with it, plastic production and usage have also increased. While diet and exercise are still considered the main drivers of obesity, research suggests that exposure to chemicals in plastics may also play a role, particularly in children. These chemicals, known as obesogens, can influence human health through eating behaviour, fat storage, gut microbiota, and other aspects of metabolism. Bisphenol A (BPA), a well-known endocrine-disrupting chemical, is among the highest production-volume chemicals detected in ecosystems. It is commonly used to make certain types of plastics and has been linked to obesity in several studies. Other chemicals implicated include bisphenol S (BPS), bisphenol F (BPF), phthalates, and tributyltin (TBT). While the link between plastic chemicals and obesity requires further investigation, the growing evidence highlights the need for caution and underscores the importance of reducing exposure to these potentially harmful substances.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Chemicals linked to obesity | Bisphenol A (BPA), Bisphenol S (BPS), Bisphenol F (BPF), phthalates, tributyltin (TBT), dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), flame retardants, di- and tributyltin (DBT), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), microplastics, plasticizers, heat and UV stabilizers |
| Mechanism of action | Endocrine disruptors that interfere with hormones regulating appetite, metabolism, and weight; promoting the growth of fat cells |
| Types of studies | In vitro, in vivo, animal models, epidemiological, cell culture |
| Population of concern | Children and adolescents |
| Regulatory body involvement | European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), British Plastics Federation |
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What You'll Learn
Bisphenol A (BPA) and its alternatives
Bisphenol A, or BPA, is an industrial chemical that has been used since the 1950s to make polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins. It is often found in the hard, clear plastic of food containers and water bottles, as well as in the lining of some metal food and drink cans. BPA is a known endocrine-disrupting chemical (EDC) that interferes with the body's hormones, including oestrogen, and affects human development, fertility, and metabolism.
Research has shown that BPA is associated with a range of health issues, including obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, breast and prostate cancer, endometriosis, altered immune system, and adverse effects on reproduction, brain development, and behaviour. Due to these concerns, some countries have banned or restricted the use of BPA in certain products, such as baby bottles.
As a result of the concerns over BPA, manufacturers have started to replace it with alternative bisphenols, such as bisphenol S (BPS) and bisphenol F (BPF). These alternative bisphenols have similar structures to BPA and exhibit similar endocrine-disrupting properties. Studies have found that exposure to BPS and BPF is associated with a higher prevalence of obesity, especially in children and adolescents.
There are ongoing debates and concerns about the safety of these alternative bisphenols, as they may pose similar potential health hazards as BPA. Some researchers argue that replacing BPA with structurally similar chemicals does not mitigate the harms of chemical exposure and may even lead to a phenomenon called "regrettable substitution," where one harmful chemical is replaced by another that is later found to be equally or more harmful.
To address these concerns, organizations like CHEM Trust advocate for a comprehensive restriction on all bisphenols in consumer products to safeguard human health and the environment. They emphasize the need for continued biomonitoring and thorough investigations into the health effects of these chemicals to ensure their safety.
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Microplastics and plastic additives
While the traditional view is that obesity is chiefly caused by an imbalance between energy intake and expenditure, or overeating and lack of exercise, a growing number of studies indicate that endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) may be important causative factors. These EDCs, or obesogens, can increase susceptibility to obesity by influencing human health through eating behaviour, fat storage, gut microbiota, and other aspects of metabolism.
Bisphenol A (BPA) is one of the highest production-volume chemicals detected in ecosystems. It is a known endocrine disruptor that harms human health by interfering with the body's hormones. It is commonly used to make certain types of plastics and has been linked to a higher prevalence of obesity in US children. Other bisphenols, such as Bisphenol S (BPS) and Bisphenol F (BPF), have been used as replacements for BPA, but studies have found that they are associated with a higher prevalence of obesity as well.
In addition to bisphenols, other plastic additives can contain harmful chemicals, which can act as co-contaminants in microplastics. These include organotins, phthalates, and toxic metals, which affect fat cell growth as well as the proteins that regulate lipid and glucose metabolism. Phthalates, for example, have been linked to obesity in longitudinal studies.
While the health risks of microplastics in humans are not yet fully understood, laboratory animal and cell culture studies suggest that these chemicals can encourage obesity through several mechanisms. Microplastics smaller than 20 micrometers can reach organs, such as the lungs and liver, through systemic circulation. Particles under 150 micrometers can cross into the intestinal epithelium, and particles between 0.1 and 10 micrometers can even cross the blood-brain barrier and the placenta.
The global increase in plastic production and usage has coincided with the rise in overweight and obesity rates worldwide. This suggests an association between exposure to microplastics and plastic additives and the risk of obesity.
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Phthalates and heart disease
While the link between chemicals in plastics and obesity is still being explored, phthalates, a set of chemicals added to plastics to increase flexibility, have been linked to 350,000 heart disease deaths globally in 2018. Phthalates are believed to create excess inflammation in the body and are associated with other conditions that increase the risk of heart disease, such as obesity, high blood pressure, and male fertility problems.
Research on the impact of phthalates on cardiovascular disease is ongoing, and experts agree that further studies are needed to establish a definitive link between phthalates and heart health. However, early findings suggest that phthalates could play a significant role in heart disease, especially among those aged 55 to 64.
Phthalates are commonly found in plastics, personal care products like shampoos and lotions, and food containers and packaging. They are known as "endocrine-disrupting chemicals," which can interfere with the body's hormones, affecting human development, fertility, and metabolism. This interference with hormones may also promote obesity, as hormones regulate appetite, metabolism, and weight.
The health risks associated with phthalates are a growing concern, especially in developing countries, where the proliferation of plastic is more prominent. Regulatory interventions are being urged to minimize exposure to phthalates, particularly DEHP (di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate), which was found to contribute to 13% of all deaths from cardiovascular disease in adults aged 55 to 64 in 2018.
While the exact number of deaths attributed to phthalates is challenging to determine, the link between these chemicals and metabolic risk factors like obesity suggests a potential role in heart disease. Further research is needed to understand the full scope of the problem and identify additional factors that may be at play.
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Obesogens and metabolism
Obesogens are certain chemical compounds that are believed to disrupt the normal development and balance of lipid metabolism, which can lead to obesity. They are considered endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) that interfere with hormones and the endocrine system. Endocrine organs and hormones help regulate metabolism and body weight, playing a crucial role in energy balance and fat storage.
There are several ways in which obesogens can interfere with the body's adipose tissue biology and metabolism. One of the main mechanisms involves alterations in the action of metabolic sensors, where obesogens mimic metabolic ligands, either blocking or upregulating hormone receptors. This can lead to changes in the control of lipid balance and energy balance, including the regulation of appetite and satiety. Obesogens can also dysregulate sex steroid synthesis, altering the ratio of sex hormones and their control of lipid balance. Additionally, they can reprogram metabolic setpoints and promote the formation of fat cells, leading to weight gain.
The impact of obesogens on metabolism can be significant. They can affect the way the body makes, stores, and uses fat. Obesogens can trigger the body to produce new fat cells, some of which may be unusually large, allowing more fat to accumulate. They may also disrupt the normal functioning of fat cells, preventing them from releasing stored fat. This can result in fat stores remaining unchanged even with changes in diet and exercise. Obesogens have also been found to alter appetites by influencing the hypothalamus, the part of the brain that controls hunger and satiety signals.
Research has identified several chemicals as potential obesogens. These include bisphenols (such as A, F, and S), which are used in plastics and food packaging. Other chemicals like phthalates, PFOA, and pesticides have also been implicated. While some studies have primarily focused on animal models, the presence of these chemicals in everyday plastic items and their potential impact on human metabolism and obesity cannot be overlooked.
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Endocrine disruptors
The endocrine system plays a fundamental role in regulating the metabolism of fats, carbohydrates, and proteins, and in ensuring that these fuels provide for the body's energy needs. Interference in the hormonal control of adipose tissue functions can lead to inappropriate deposits of fat and, hence, obesity.
Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) or endocrine disruptors are toxic agents that pollute the environment and substances contained in food that inadequately modulate the neuroendocrine system. They have been shown to disrupt the actions of hormones, including steroid hormones and thyroid hormones.
Some EDCs can interfere with regulatory processes in metabolism and in the control of adipocyte function, resulting in imbalances in the regulation of body weight, which can lead to obesity. Endocrine disruptors are also known to influence human health through eating behaviour, fat storage, gut microbiota, and other aspects of metabolism.
Bisphenol A (BPA) is a well-known endocrine disruptor present in some plastics and resins since the 1950s. It is among the highest production-volume chemicals detected in ecosystems. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) previously set a tolerable daily intake for BPA at four micrograms (µg) per kilogram (kg) body weight. However, due to health concerns, the EFSA has proposed reducing this limit by 100,000 times. Bisphenol S (BPS) and bisphenol F (BPF) are similar chemicals used as replacements for BPA in certain plastics, aluminium-canned food and drinks, and thermal paper from cash-register receipts.
Other endocrine disruptors include phthalates, organotins (TBT, TPT), and genistein. These chemicals have been shown to have obesogenic effects in tissues and experimental animals, but data in humans is limited.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, according to a study funded by the NIEHS, human exposure to microplastics and plastic additives may be linked to an increased risk of obesity.
These chemicals can affect the hormones that regulate appetite, metabolism, and weight, among other bodily functions. They can also cause obesity over three or more generations in animal models.
Some of the chemicals implicated include bisphenols (including A, F and S), phthalates, perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), flame retardants, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), tributyltin (TBT), and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).
The findings suggest that exposure to chemicals in plastics may be a contributing factor to the obesity pandemic, along with other factors such as diet and lack of exercise. It highlights the need for further research and caution in the use of plastics, especially those containing harmful chemicals.
