# Are obesegens real? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 29, 2011, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-obesegens-real/569447 "2011-01-29T22:09:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Imagineer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/258eb7/32.png) [@Imagineer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Imagineer)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2011, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-obesegens-real/569447/1 "2011-01-29T22:09:28Z")
If teflon is making me fat, maybe teflon will become a thing of the past. What say you? ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2011, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-obesegens-real/569447/2 "2011-01-29T22:27:07Z")
Since the OP is seeking opinions, this is better suited to IMHO than GQ. Colibri General Questions Moderator ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2011, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-obesegens-real/569447/3 "2011-01-29T22:32:08Z")
> [@Imagineer](#): > > If teflon is making me fat, maybe teflon will become a thing of the past. What say you? Cite, please? ---
**Author:** ![stpauler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9d8465/32.png) [@stpauler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stpauler)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2011, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-obesegens-real/569447/4 "2011-01-29T22:37:49Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Cite, please? I’ve never heard of this but… [Major Study of Teflon Chemical in People Suggests Harm To Immune System, Liver, Thyroid Preliminary Data Released as Calif. Senate Votes to Ban PFCs in Food Packaging](http://www.ewg.org/release/major-study-teflon-chemical-people-suggests-harm-immune-system-liver-thyroid) > [@](#): > > A chemical used to make Teflon, food wrappers and dozens of other products may harm the immune system, liver and thyroid and cause higher cholesterol in children, according to the initial findings of a study of 69,000 people in West Virginia and Ohio who live near a DuPont manufacturing plant. > > SNIP > > Elevated PFOA levels in children are associated with high cholesterol levels, predisposing children to future weight problems and accompanying risk of heart disease. In animal studies, early exposure to PFOA results in obesity later in life. > [Endocrine Disruptors In Common Plastics Linked To Obesity Risk | ScienceDaily](http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080514091427.htm) Is that what the OP is talking about? ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2011, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-obesegens-real/569447/5 "2011-01-29T22:39:26Z")
It’s not the Teflon that’s making you fat. It’s what you’re cooking in it. ---
**Author:** ![ultrafilter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/3d9bf3/32.png) [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2011, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-obesegens-real/569447/6 "2011-01-29T23:31:31Z")
It’s not hard to imagine that they exist–metabolism is a bunch of chemical reactions, and it’s certainly plausible that other chemicals could affect their function–but even if they are, they’re probably not influencing what you choose to eat. Your genes and your chemical environment may have put a loaded gun in your hand, but you’re the one who’s pulling the trigger.