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abnormalities, and even premature mortality. In order to avoid the aftermath of EDC
induced childhood obesity, effective measures should be adopted. The most important step in the management of childhood obesity is the avoidance and removal of
EDCs contributing to obesity. Furthermore, certain preventive strategies may also
be adopted to keep children and pregnant females protected from the harm of EDCs.
Keywords Childhood obesity · Endocrine disrupting chemicals · Obesogens
Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals
Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are referred to a group of extraneous chemicals which intrude the endocrine system thereby not only affecting release, production, and transport of hormones but also interfering with the binding ability,
metabolism, and elimination of hormones [1]. As the environmental pollutants
gained prominence gradually, the term “endocrine disruptor” was first introduced in
1991. To date, EDCs include over 1000 synthetic and naturally occurring chemical
compounds [2]. The most common examples of EDCs include plastics (bisphenol
A), plasticizers (phthalates), industrial products (polychlorinated biphenyls), pesticides (methoxychlor), fungicides (vinclozolin), and pharmaceutical agents (diethylstilbestrol) [3].
Classification of Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals
On account of heterogeneous nature, EDCs are broadly classified into two main
categories on the basis of their occurrence and origin.
On the Basis of Occurrence
EDCs are divided into two groups on the basis of occurrence, i.e. naturally occurring EDCs and synthetic EDCs. Natural EDCs include phytoestrogen and genistein
which are found in food, whereas the synthetic EDCs are synthesized and utilized
in industrial products such as polybrominated biphenyls (PBB), dioxins, and bisphenol A (BPA) [4].
T. H. Mallhi et al.
abnormalities, and even premature mortality. In order to avoid the aftermath of EDC
induced childhood obesity, effective measures should be adopted. The most important step in the management of childhood obesity is the avoidance and removal of
EDCs contributing to obesity. Furthermore, certain preventive strategies may also
be adopted to keep children and pregnant females protected from the harm of EDCs.
Keywords Childhood obesity · Endocrine disrupting chemicals · Obesogens
Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals
Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are referred to a group of extraneous chemicals which intrude the endocrine system thereby not only affecting release, production, and transport of hormones but also interfering with the binding ability,
metabolism, and elimination of hormones [1]. As the environmental pollutants
gained prominence gradually, the term “endocrine disruptor” was first introduced in
1991. To date, EDCs include over 1000 synthetic and naturally occurring chemical
compounds [2]. The most common examples of EDCs include plastics (bisphenol
A), plasticizers (phthalates), industrial products (polychlorinated biphenyls), pesticides (methoxychlor), fungicides (vinclozolin), and pharmaceutical agents (diethylstilbestrol) [3].
Classification of Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals
On account of heterogeneous nature, EDCs are broadly classified into two main
categories on the basis of their occurrence and origin.
On the Basis of Occurrence
EDCs are divided into two groups on the basis of occurrence, i.e. naturally occurring EDCs and synthetic EDCs. Natural EDCs include phytoestrogen and genistein
which are found in food, whereas the synthetic EDCs are synthesized and utilized
in industrial products such as polybrominated biphenyls (PBB), dioxins, and bisphenol A (BPA) [4].
T. H. Mallhi et al.