Do chemicals, including environmental contaminants, contribute to obesity? A review looks at the evidence with implications for policy and research. Although genetic susceptibility and stress are believed to contribute to obesity1, the prevailing view is that it is chiefly caused by an imbalance between energy intake and expenditure, or more simply – overeating and lack of exercise. Addressing the problem – now a worldwide pandemic – focuses on individual action or medical intervention to counter these factors. However, this approach has not even slowed the rise of obesity. A growing number of studies indicate that certain endocrine-disrupting chemicals may be important causative factors – primarily when exposure occurs during early development. Click here to read more