Environmental toxins exacerbate obesity (obesity pandemic)

But the dozens of scientists behind the review argue that the evidence is now so strong that it should be. "This is critically important because current clinical management of obese patients is woefully inadequate," they said. The most troubling aspect of the evidence is that some chemical effects that increase weight can be passed down through generations by altering the way genes work.

Pollutants cited by researchers as increasing obesity include bisphenol A (BPA), which is often added to plastics, as well as some pesticides, flame retardants and air pollution.

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Global obesity has tripled since 1975, with more people now obese or overweight than underweight, and is increasing in every country studied. Nearly 2 billion adults are now too heavy and 40 million children under five are obese or overweight.