An anthropological perspective on obesity

Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences • Vol/Iss. 499(1) • Blackwell • • Published In • Pages: 29-46 •
By Brown, Peter J., Konner, Melvin

Abstract

The authors implement an anthropological approach to explore the evolutionary and cultural explanations of modern obesity. Three widely accepted facts are considered: (1) gender dimorphism (women having higher levels of fat), (2) increase of obesity with modernization, and (3) a positive association between obesity and socioeconomic status. Using theory, cross-cultural research, and case studies, the authors hypothesize how obesity may have been selected for (or not selected against) in an evolutionary context considering both biological and social factors.

Note

While no hypotheses are directly tested, important descriptive generalizations are examined and proposed.

Hypotheses (2)

HypothesisSupported
Food shortages are virtually universalNA
The desirability of plumpness is common cross-culturallyNA
Documents and Hypotheses Filed By: emily.pitek  noah.rossen