Genetic aspects of obesity and metabolic syndrome in people occupationally exposed to arsenic and certain heavy metals

Introduction. Obesity is a common health issue affecting over 650 million people worlwide. It is an integral element of the metabolic syndrome and leads to the development of arterial hypertension and type 2 diabetes, as well as many other different conditions, including numerous tumours. At the same time, exposure to arsenic, cadmium and lead is increasingly attributed to the development of the metabolic syndrome. Environmentally, this influence concerns the entire population, and is particularly visible in the occupationally