J Obes Metab Syndr.  2021 Jun;30(2):93-103. 10.7570/jomes21004.

Nontraditional Risk Factors for Obesity in Modern Society

Affiliations
  • 1Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
  • 2Department of Medical Informatics, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea

Abstract

Overweight and obesity, which have rapidly increased around the world in recent years, are significant health problems. They can lead to various morbidities, including cardiovascular diseases, cerebrovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, some types of cancer, and even death. Obesity is caused by an energy imbalance due to excessive calorie intake and insufficient energy consumption, and genetic factors and individual behavioral problems are also known to be major contributing factors. However, these are insufficient to explain the surge in obesity that has occurred in recent decades. Recent studies have suggested that environmental factors arising from the process of socioeconomic development and modernization contribute to this phenomenon. These environmental factors include light pollution due to artificial lighting, air pollution, endocrine-disrupting chemicals, and reduced exposure to green spaces due to urbanization of residential areas. In this manuscript, the findings and mechanisms of these novel risk factors causing overweight and obesity are reviewed.

Keyword

Obesity; Risk factors; Environmental pollution; Endocrine disruptors
Full Text Links
  • JOMES
Actions
Cited
CITED
export Copy
Close
Share
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
Similar articles
Copyright © 2024 by Korean Association of Medical Journal Editors. All rights reserved.     E-mail: koreamed@kamje.or.kr