Role of the Environment in Pediatric Obesity

Childhood obesity is a particular concern in developed countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and certain European countries. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 6% of children under the age of 5 worldwide were obese in 2016, a figure that continues to rise.

The pathophysiology of pediatric obesity can be explained by several interconnected biological and behavioral mechanisms. In particular, it involves dysfunctions in the hormones that regulate appetite and satiety, as well as dysfunctions in lipid metabolism.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large family of synthetic chemical compounds. The main PFAS are perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), and perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS). PFAS are present in many everyday consumer products.

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical compound used primarily in the manufacture of plastics and resins. It is commonly found in polycarbonate plastics, used to make food containers and water bottles, as well as in epoxy resins, which are used to coat the inside of food cans and water pipes.

Non-persistent pesticides, such as organophosphates and polychlorinated biphenyls, are chemicals used primarily in agriculture to control insects and other pests.

There are arguments suggesting that PFAS, bisphenol A, and non-persistent pesticides may play a role in the onset of pediatric obesity, particularly by acting.