LISBON, May 22 — New European research suggests that exposure to certain everyday chemicals may be contributing to obesity by interfering with our hormones.

Carried out by Dr Ana Catarina Sousa and a team of researchers from the Universities of Aveiro and Beira Interior in Portugal, the research studied the most important sources of exposure to these chemicals, known as "obesogens,” and how exposure could be reduced.

Limiting our contact with products which carry obesogens might reduce the risk of obesity, as these chemicals interfere with how our bodies store and process fat.

Previous studies have found the chemicals in many day-to-day products like pesticides, plastics, flame retardants, repellent coatings on kitchen utensils and clothes, and artificial sweeteners.

After reviewing animal studies and epidemiological surveys, which look at the factors affecting the health and illness of populations, the team found that the main sources of exposure to obesogens indoors are diet, house dust, and everyday products such as cleaning chemicals, kitchenware or cosmetics.

For example, obesogens such as tributyltin — a paint chemical banned a decade ago, and cadmium — a metal associated with certain cancers — can worryingly still be found in food products, in some cases at high concentrations.

"Obesogens can be found almost everywhere, and our diet is a main source of exposure, as some pesticides and artificial sweeteners are obesogens. Equally, they are present in plastics and home products, so completely reducing exposure is extremely difficult — but to significantly reduce it is not only feasible, but also very simple,” said Dr Sousa.

The researchers suggested the following ways to help reduce obesogen exposure: