I wrote a feature for Environmental Health Perspectives about obesogens, and in it I cite at least one study that talks about the increasing weights of lab and other animals (urban, I believe). It also talks about the science behind it, and what is known so far (mostly focusing on humans, but if there's a similar effect on animals I am sure it works in the same ways)
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3279464/ Or the PDF: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3279464/pdf/ehp.120-a62.pdf Here's the link to the study that talks about animals Klimentidis YC, et al. Canaries in the coal mine: a cross-species analysis of the plurality of obesity epidemics. Proc R Soc Biol Sci. 2011;278(1712):16261632. http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2010.1890. That doesn't answer the question directly but perhaps that scientist or one of the co-authors works on this more regularly or would know the answer Wendee Wendee Nicole, M.S. Wildlife Ecology ~ Freelance Writer * Photographer * Bohemian Web: [ http://www.wendeenicole.com ] Blog: [ http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com ] Twitter: twitter.com/bohemianone Email: [email protected] Write for magazines & get paid! Live your dreams! Online Classes start July 27 & Sep 7, 2013 On 7/15/13 7:23 PM, "Skylar Bayer" <[email protected]> wrote: >Hello Ecolog-L, >I recently read this article about the trends of obesity world-wide. One >of >the points the author makes, > >"But such results don¹t explain why the weight gain is also occurring in >species that human beings don¹t pamper, such as animals in labs, whose >diets are strictly controlled. In fact, lab animals¹ lives are so >precisely >watched and measured that the researchers can rule out accidental human >influence: records show those creatures gained weight over decades without >any significant change in their diet or activities. Obviously, if animals >are getting heavier along with us, it can¹t just be that they¹re eating >more Snickers bars and driving to work most days. On the contrary, the >trend suggests some widely shared cause, beyond the control of >individuals, >which is contributing to obesity across many species." > >He refers to lab animals in this statement, but he mentions industrial >chemicals and BPAs that get into the environment (more than just urban >areas, I presume) and other viruses and bacteria that may relate to weight >gain/loss. > >My question is, has anyone here on this listserv, or know of anyone doing >long term ecological studies on mammals or other vertebrates where weights >are recorded? > > >I am curious if these kinds of compounds, which must be leaked into >certain >systems, at the very least, have the same kind of "obesogen" effect on >ecosystems outside an urban center. > >I'd love to hear what any of you think about the matter. > >The article: >http://www.aeonmagazine.com/being-human/david-berreby-obesity-era/ > >Thanks! >Skylar > >-- >Skylar Bayer >University of Maine >School of Marine Sciences >Graduate Student of Marine Biology > >Darling Marine Center >193 Clark's Cove Road >Walpole, ME 04573 >[email protected]
