Scientists have found that environmental pollutants may be associated with increased body fat percentage and waist circumference. Research published in the journal environmental research.
The scientists studied the effects of 47 environmental pollutants, including ethyl alcohol, lead, organic solvents, fungicides, repellents, charcoal, mercury pesticides, polyethylene, herbicides and so on.
The final analysis included 18 studies with 8,500 participants ranging from newborns to the elderly.
Most studies looked at body mass index and waist circumference. Eight studies reported body fat percentage as measured by the sum of four skin folds or waist-to-hip ratio.
Scientists have found that endocrine disruptors (dioxins, furans, and pesticides) are associated with changes in body composition, particularly body fat percentage. The remaining items had no significant relationship with body composition.