M6.7: Obesogens

·       Utilizing the first article, discuss what is locally grown and what is currently in season in your area.

I found a family farm that is nearby named The School Farm, which is located in one of San Francisco’s largest natural areas on the rim of the Glen Canyon. It is an organic farm that offers many crops and also educates the community and students about urban agriculture. Crops that are currently in season include:

·       Discuss your thoughts on seasonal/local foods and hospital menus. 

I think it is great to provide seasonal and local foods in hospital menus. By purchasing more local, seasonal foods, health care can support human and ecological health. By purchasing healthier food an supporting local food systems, hospitals can play a huge role in supporting the social and economic fabric of communities.

·       Find a Harvest Calendar for your state (or a state you are interested in) utilizing the link in the first article. 

I found a harvest calendar from the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market in San Francisco. I love going to this farmers market and it is good to know when crops are in season, especially for my favorite fruit, pears, which are in season from August-November.

·       What are your thoughts on the second article? Have you heard of obesogens before?

This was a very informative article to read and I had not heard of obesogens before. Evidence is suggesting that lack of diet and exercise is not solely to blame for increases in obesity; obesogens are the chemicals that can actually alter human metabolism and predispose people to gain weight. Early life exposure to some obesogens can alter metabolism and fat cell makeup for life. It is interesting how different obesogenic compounds may have different mechanisms of action and some can act on hormones and affect appetite, food preferences, and energy metabolism.

·       Pick one of the potential obesogens discussed in the article and using your resources from earlier modules (such as toxnet), do some research on this potential obesogen. Share what you found! 

I chose to do some research on the industrial chemical Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA). As the article stated, nearly everyone if the US has this chemical in their blood. The article also mentioned that researchers found a probable link between PFOA and pregnancy-induced hypertension. According to ToxNet, this chemical is associated with subtle alterations in thyroid hormone levels in aging populations. One study found that workers with 27 years of exposure to PFOA were 3.3 times more likely to die from cerebrovascular disease then the general population. Causes of this disease are linked with high cholesterol.