Obesity is a huge problem in our country and many other industrial nations. Most of the reasons are obvious: sedentary lifestyles, processed foods, lack of exercise, car dependency, and so on. However, there is another factor linked to obesity that is little known, yet surrounding all of us on a daily basis. They are called obesogens, and they can be a very significant culprit in the Battle of the Bulge!!

As defined by Wikipedia: "Obesogens are chemical compounds foreign to the body that are hypothesized to disrupt normal development or homeostasis of metabolism of lipids ultimately resulting in obesity. Obesogens may be functionally defined as chemicals that inappropriately alter lipid homeostasis and fat storage, change metabolic setpoints, disrupt energy balance or modify the regulation of appetite and satiety to promote fat accumulation and obesity." After reading this, you may be thinking ?? right now so let me explain it in more simpler terms.

Obesogens, also called endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), are natural and man-made chemicals that work by altering the regulatory system that controls your weight-increasing the fat cells you have, decreasing the calories you burn, and even altering the way your body manages hunger. Recent studies have shed light onto how this actually happens. EDCs:

• Encourage the body to store fat and re-program cells to become fat cells.

• Prompt the liver to become insulin resistant, which makes the pancreas pump out more insulin that turns energy into fat all over the body.

• Prevent leptin (a hormone that reduces appetite) from being released from your fat cells to tell your body you are full.

EDCs, which have a structure that closely resembles the hormone estrogen, go from your food into your bloodstream, where they send out the "fat command" to the cells in your body. The bad news is that your body can't tell the difference between these estrogen mimics and the real thing. As far as your body is concerned, these chemicals that look like estrogen are estrogen. And whether you're a man or a woman, too much estrogen makes you fat, slow, tired, and diseased.

So, where do you find Obesogens?? Interestingly, they are not only in certain foods but they also lurk in shower curtains, water bottles, cookware, Tupperware, shrink wrap and MANY other places! I learned about Obesogens from a Dr. Oz episode and here are the tips from his website to avoid or lessen exposure to these chemicals:

• Buy wild fish (such as salmon, which is packed with heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids) and meat products that are hormone- and antibiotic-free.

• Install a granular activated carbon filter on your faucet to filter out chemicals such as atrazine.

• Use aluminum water bottles or those that are BPA-free.

• Steer clear of plastics with the number 3 or 7 on the bottom, which may leach BPA. Instead look for the numbers 1, 2, 4, 5, and 6, which are unlikely to contain BPA.

• Keep water bottles cool (warm temperatures increase BPA leaching) and never microwave plastic.

• Eat fewer canned foods. Opt for frozen or fresh instead. Tuna can be found in pouches that do not contain BPA.

• Get rid of your non-stick pans if possible. If you must use a Teflon pan, never use a metal implement on it that can scratch the surface and release the chemicals inside, and throw away any scratched non-stick pans.

• Buy meats straight from the butcher counter (instead of pre-packaged) and ask that they wrap them in brown paper.

• Skip the air fresheners, open the windows, and try a vase of dried lavender instead.

I know these tips are numerous and can be overwhelming. It may be a good idea to remove these items from your life slowly if you want to reduce your exposure to Obesogens. . . and make your body a "NO"besogen!