The obesity epidemic has become global meriting the term of "globesity". At the heart of it lies our increasing sedentary lifestyle together with detrimental dietary habits. The genetic background, in particular, our "thrifty genes" also take part of the responsibility for this pandemia. Interestingly, mounting epidemiological evidence links obesity with increases in intrauterine influences, epigenetics, viruses, microbiota, climate changes, sleep debt, and xenobiotics including endocrine disruptors, among others. In this respect, it may be worthwhile to consider that all these factors, that conform our lifelong exposure profile or "exposome", may be partly contributing to the global obesity epidemic. Consequently, an exposomic approach underlines the need for biomonitoring of xenobiotics accumulation in human body, particularly in adipose tissue. It may be time to try to better identify these potential drivers and stimulate analysis on the impact of the "exposome" in light of the increasing overweight and obesity trends.
Adipobiology 2012; 4: 107-110.
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