Despite the First Lady’s Get Up and Move campaign, America’s weight problem persists. Perhaps the causes of obesity are more diverse than just genetics, lifestyle and diet. The three most known factors related to obesity are critically important, and an emerging fourth contributor – toxic chemicals– can be another important part of reducing and preventing obesity in the future.

When Safer Chemicals Healthy Families held our Stroller Brigade for Safer Chemicals in Washington DC, we brought hundreds of parents, kids, educators, environmental justice leaders and health care professionals to Capitol Hill to put a human face on the need for reform of the 37 year old Toxic Substances Control Act.

There is evidence that industrial pollutants are contributing to America’s obesity epidemic. While personal responsibility is important, we need to address other underlying issues that contribute to the problem.