Environmental pollutants and the obesity: proven causalities and open questions

Marijana Ćurčić; Javier Esteban; Gonca Cakmak; Ksenija Durgo; Katarina Baralić; Jovana Živanović; Djurdjica Marić; Aleksandra Buha Đorđević; Evica Antonijević Miljaković; Zorica Bulat; Biljana Antonijević; Danijela Djukić Ćosić

doi:10.5937/arhfarm74-50856

Marijana Ćurčić University of Belgrade – Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Toxicology “Akademik Danilo Soldatović”
Javier Esteban Universidad Miguel Hernandez, Instututio Bioingineria
Gonca Cakmak Gazi University, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Toxicology
Ksenija Durgo University of Zagreb, Faculty of Food Technology and Biotechnology, Laboratory or Biology and Genetics of Microorganisms
Katarina Baralić University of Belgrade – Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Toxicology “Akademik Danilo Soldatović”
Jovana Živanović University of Belgrade – Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Toxicology „Akademik Danilo Soldatović“ and Centre for Toxicological Risk Assessment, Vojvode Stepe 450, Belgrade, Serbia
Djurdjica Marić University of Belgrade – Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Toxicology „Akademik Danilo Soldatović“ and Centre for Toxicological Risk Assessment, Vojvode Stepe 450, Belgrade, Serbia
Aleksandra Buha Đorđević University of Belgrade – Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Toxicology „Akademik Danilo Soldatović“ and Centre for Toxicological Risk Assessment, Vojvode Stepe 450, Belgrade, Serbia
Evica Antonijević Miljaković University of Belgrade – Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Toxicology „Akademik Danilo Soldatović“ and Centre for Toxicological Risk Assessment, Vojvode Stepe 450, Belgrade, Serbia
Zorica Bulat University of Belgrade – Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Toxicology „Akademik Danilo Soldatović“ and Centre for Toxicological Risk Assessment, Vojvode Stepe 450, Belgrade, Serbia
Biljana Antonijević University of Belgrade – Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Toxicology „Akademik Danilo Soldatović“ and Centre for Toxicological Risk Assessment, Vojvode Stepe 450, Belgrade, Serbia
Danijela Djukić Ćosić University of Belgrade – Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Toxicology “Akademik Danilo Soldatović”

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5937/arhfarm74-50856

Keywords: obesity, plastics, metals, POPs, pharmaceuticals, road map

Abstract

The link between environmental pollution and obesity is of high importance, because understanding the relationship between the two can provide valuable insights into the complex factors contributing to the obesity epidemic. These chemicals, termed “obesogens,” are believed to disrupt lipid metabolism processes, therefore promoting the development of obesity. Human activities such as industrialization, urbanization, agriculture, and transportation have significantly contributed to environmental pollution. Therefore, the main identified obesogens are BPA found in plastics, food packaging, and thermal paper receipts, phthalates, commonly used in plastics, personal care products, and food packaging, toxic metal(oid)s, determined in non-stick cookware, water-resistant fabrics, and food packaging, pesticides, used in agriculture, as well as other persistent organic pollutants (POPs), and pharmaceuticals (waste). Addressing environmental pollution not only has the potential to improve environmental quality, but also to promote public health and prevent obesity-related diseases. Addressing the causality between pollutants and obesity could be a new and challenging road map for health professionals.

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