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Across europe, two thirds of adults and a third of children are over weight or obese. American samoa now has the fattest population on earth. It's causing a global health crisis as increasing numbers of us end up with related illnesses like cancers, dibetes and heart disease. One theory is that chemical pollution may be partly to blame. The idea hasn't made it into main treme medicine yet but it's fascinating that these tiny molecules could be having such an outsized impact.

Are synthetic chemicals we encounter every day causing us to gain weight? According to a major scientific review authored by dozens of scientists, there is now enough evidence to conclude that they are. Termed ‘obesogens’, these chemicals can be found in food packaging, personal hygiene products, electronics and even water. Madeleine Finlay speaks to environment editor Damian Carrington about how obesogens might be contributing to the global obesity pandemic, what they may be doing to our bodies, and if there’s anything we can do to avoid them.. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/sciencepod