The Evolution of Obesity
eBook - ePub

The Evolution of Obesity

  1. English
  2. ePUB (mobile friendly)
  3. Available on iOS & Android
eBook - ePub

The Evolution of Obesity

About this book

In this sweeping exploration of the relatively recent obesity epidemic, Michael L. Power and Jay Schulkin probe evolutionary biology, history, physiology, and medical science to uncover the causes of our growing girth. The unexpected answer? Our own evolutionary success.

For most of the past few million years, our evolutionary ancestors' survival depended on being able to consume as much as possible when food was available and to store the excess energy for periods when it was scarce. In the developed world today, high-calorie foods are readily obtainable, yet the propensity to store fat is part of our species' heritage, leaving an increasing number of the world's people vulnerable to obesity. In an environment of abundant food, we are anatomically, physiologically, metabolically, and behaviorally programmed in a way that makes it difficult for us to avoid gaining weight.

Power and Schulkin's engagingly argued book draws on popular examples and sound science to explain our expanding waistlines and to discuss the consequences of being overweight for different demographic groups. They review the various studies of human and animal fat use and storage, including those that examine fat deposition and metabolism in men and women; chronicle cultural differences in food procurement, preparation, and consumption; and consider the influence of sedentary occupations and lifestyles.

A compelling and comprehensive examination of the causes and consequences of the obesity epidemic, The Evolution of Obesity offers fascinating insights into the question, Why are we getting fatter?

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Yes, you can access The Evolution of Obesity by Michael L. Power,Jay Schulkin in PDF and/or ePUB format, as well as other popular books in Biological Sciences & Nutrition, Dietics & Bariatrics. We have over one million books available in our catalogue for you to explore.

Table of contents

  1. Cover Page
  2. Title Page
  3. Copyright Page
  4. Contents
  5. Preface
  6. Introduction: Human Biology, Evolution, and Obesity
  7. 1 Humanity on the Fat Track
  8. 2 Our Early Ancestors
  9. 3 The Evolution of Meals
  10. 4 Evolution, Adaptation, and Human Obesity
  11. 5 Evolution, Adaptation, and the Perils of Modern Life
  12. 6 Energy, Metabolism, and the Thermodynamics of Life
  13. 7 Information Molecules and the Peptide Revolution
  14. 8 Appetite and Satiety
  15. 9 Getting Ready to Eat
  16. 10 The Paradox of Feeding
  17. 11 The Biology of Fat
  18. 12 Fat and Reproduction
  19. 13 Genetic and Epigenetic Correlates of Obesity
  20. Conclusion: Surviving the Perils of Modern Life
  21. References
  22. Index