We are all exposed to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) starting from embryonic life. The fetus and child set up crucial developmental processes allowing adaptation to the environment throughout life: they are extremely sensitive to very low doses of hormones and EDCs because they are developing organisms. Considering the developmental origin of well-being and diseases, every adult organism expresses consequences of the environment in which it developed. The molecular mechanisms through which the main EDCs manifest their effects and their potential association with endocrine disorders, such as diabetes, obesity, thyroid disease and alteration of adrenal hormones, will be reviewed here. Despite 40 years having passed since the first study on EDCs, little is yet known about them; therefore, our purpose is to take stock of the situation to establish a starting point for further studies. Since there is plenty of evidence showing that exposure to EDCs may adversely impact the health of adults and children through altered endocrine function—suggesting their link to endocrinopathies—it is essential in this context to bear in mind what is already known about endocrine disruptors and to deepen our knowledge to establish rules of conduct aimed at limiting exposure to EDCs’ negative effects. Considering that during the COVID-19 pandemic an increase in endocrine disruptor effects has been reported, it will also be useful to address this new phenomenon for better understanding its basis and limiting its consequences.

The prevalence of non-communicable diseases, of which insulin resistance is a major constituent, among the pediatric population is exponentially increasing worldwide; this is causing a significant health burden, making understanding the basis of this phenomenon an issue of primary importance. During the last decades, we also observed that exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals is becoming more and more common; this has led researchers to investigate the mechanism of action and define the role of those substances in interfering with human metabolism and hormonal balance, especially at a young age. We reviewed the literature on prospective, epidemiological, and cross-sectional studies that have shown a link between exposure to pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls, bisphenol A, phthalates, aromatic polycyclic hydrocarbons, or dioxins and insulin resistance; the strength of the associations varies between the substances and human biomonitoring studies have helped in defining the role of these chemicals. The number of prospective studies in children and even in adults is still low and heterogenous, still, evidence that Endocrine disruptors might be involved in the development of insulin resistance and related diseases is accumulating. This review aims to analyze the latest findings linking exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals with insulin resistance in children with the perspective of taking a cue for conducting new studies and identifying the most concerning Endocrine disruptors exposures, in order to guide future risk assessment and policy action aimed to limit the negative consequences of endocrine disrupting chemical exposure.