Ann Pediatr Endocrinol Metab.  2014 Jun;19(2):69-75. 10.6065/apem.2014.19.2.69.

Phthalate exposure and childhood obesity

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Inje University Sanggye Paik Hospital, Inje University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. PMJ@paik.ac.kr

Abstract

Phthalates are commonly used as plasticizers and vehicles for cosmetic ingredients. Phthalate metabolites have documented biochemical activity including activating peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor and antiandrogenic effects, which may contribute to the development of obesity. In vitro and in vivo studies suggest that phthalates have significant effects on the development of obesity, especially after prenatal exposure at low doses. Although few studies have examined the effects of phthalate on obesity development in humans, some work has shown that phthalates affect humans and animals similarly. In this paper, we review the possible mechanisms of phthalate-induced obesity, and discuss evidence supporting the role of phthalates in the development of obesity in humans.

Keyword

Diethylhexyl phthalate; Child; Endocrine disruptors; Obesity

MeSH Terms

Animals
Child
Diethylhexyl Phthalate
Endocrine Disruptors
Humans
Obesity
Pediatric Obesity*
Peroxisomes
Plasticizers
Plastics
Diethylhexyl Phthalate
Endocrine Disruptors
Plasticizers
Plastics

Figure

  • Fig. 1 Metabolic pathways of phthalates.


Cited by  2 articles

Management of childhood obesity
Shin-Hye Kim, Mi-Jung Park
J Korean Med Assoc. 2017;60(3):233-241.    doi: 10.5124/jkma.2017.60.3.233.

Associations of Phthalate Metabolites and Bisphenol A Levels with Obesity in Children: The Korean National Environmental Health Survey (KoNEHS) 2015 to 2017
Moon Young Seo, Shinje Moon, Shin-Hye Kim, Mi Jung Park
Endocrinol Metab. 2022;37(2):249-260.    doi: 10.3803/EnM.2021.1235.


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