[nradov]

Yes that's probably a factor. Exposure to endocrine disruptor chemicals such as phthalates (plastic softeners) is correlated with lower testosterone levels.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25121464/

And we have extensive research linking low testosterone to obesity. In fact the causality appears to run both ways with low testosterone causing an increase in adipose tissue, which in turn drives a further reduction in testosterone production. Vicious cycle.

But diets have changed over time. Americans on average do consume more calories than 50 years ago, and get a higher proportion of their calories from sugars.

[zalo]

While they might be linked, I find it difficult to believe modern males have lower testosterone than pre-80’s females (which I’d expect if simply “Low-T” was causing the current surge in obesity in both genders).

It’s possible the threshold (where Testosterone is converted to Estrogen) is lowering, and both fat deposition and other things are all downstream effects of phthalates.

However it’s just as likely that this is due to antibiotic-contamination in food changing our gut flora, or Pesticides/Lithium/PFAS/High-Fructose-Corn-Syrup/EM-Radiation/Elevation are messing with our homeostatic equilibrium in other ways…

It would be interesting to find a study that controlled for each of these factors to find the strongest correlates.