Obesogens

I recently read this article on Obesogens. It made a TON of sense. So, rather than going on about my own personal theories, here's what WIKIPEDIA had to say about Obesogens:

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.[1][2] 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.[3]
There are many proposed mechanisms through which obesogens can act, including alterations in the action of metabolic sensors; dysregulation of sex steroid synthesis, action or breakdown; changes in the central integration of energy balance including the regulation of appetite and satiety; and reprogramming metabolic setpoints.[4][5] Some of these proposed pathways include inappropriate modulation of nuclear receptor function; therefore, these compounds are classified as endocrine disrupting chemicals.[6] Several examples of substances that could be classified as obesogens include tributyltin, bisphenol A, diethylhexylphthalate, and perfluorooctanoate. Emerging evidence from laboratories around the world suggests that other chemicals will be confirmed as falling under this proposed classification in the near future.
The term obesogen was coined by Bruce Blumberg of the University of California, Irvine.[7] The topic of this proposed class of chemical compounds and how to counteract their effects is explored at length in the book The New American Diet.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obesogen.

Please do me a favor and read this newsweek article. It's pretty scary.

http://www.newsweek.com/2009/09/10/born-to-be-big.html