The recent epidemics of metabolic diseases, obesity, type 2 diabetes(T2D), liver lipid disorders and metabolic syndrome have largely been attributed to genetic background and changes in diet, exercise and aging. However, there is now considerable evidence that other environmental factors may contribute to the rapid increase in the incidence of these metabolic diseases. This review will examine changes to the incidence of obesity, T2D and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), the contribution of genetics to these disorders and describe the role of the endocrine system in these metabolic disorders. It will then specifically focus on the role of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in the etiology of obesity, T2D and NAFLD while finally integrating the information on EDCs on multiple metabolic disorders that could lead to metabolic syndrome. We will specifically examine evidence linking EDC exposures during critical periods of development with metabolic diseases that manifest later in life and across generations.
In the medical community, epidemics of metabolic diseases have largely been attributed to genetic background and changes in diet, exercise and aging. However, there is now considerable evidence that other environmental factors may contribute to the rapid increase in the incidence of obesity, T2D and other aspects of MetS observed over the past three decades . One environmental factor that has begun to receive attention is a class of chemicals that can interfere with the action of hormones including metabolic hormones. These compounds, termed EDCs, are found in a wide variety of consumer products, and exposures are often widespread Of particular concern is evidence that exposure to EDCs during critical periods when adipocytes are differentiating and the pancreas, liver, brain, etc. are developing can induce effects that manifest later in life, often as overt disease.