Pay attention, men, to all the stuff you've got stashed in your house -- everything from plastics to shaving creams to foods -- because a common household chemical may be found in these items and could be making you fat.

Phthalates (pronounced THAL-ates) are the problem chemicals, and studies found that men with the most exposure to them were on average about three inches larger in waist circumference than other men. Their insulin resistance levels were notably higher as well.

Don't stress too much about this news, because there's something you can do about this dangerous chemical: Avoid it. Maybe one day, the government will regulate it too.

For more on phthalates, from the folks who think they are not so harmful, click here. For some scoop on where else phthalates might be hiding and how to avoid all traces of the them, click here.