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Title
Hunter-gatherers as models in public health |
Full text
http://www.escholarship.org/uc/item/1m87g85c |
Date
2018 |
Author(s)
Pontzer, H; Wood, BM; Raichlen, DA |
Abstract
Hunter-gatherer populations are remarkable for their excellent metabolic and cardiovascular health and thus are often used as models in public health, in an effort to understand the root, evolutionary causes of non-communicable diseases. Here, we review recent work on health, activity, energetics and diet among hunter-gatherers and other small-scale societies (e.g. subsistence farmers, horticulturalists and pastoralists), as well as recent fossil and archaeological discoveries, to provide a more comprehensive perspective on lifestyle and health in these populations. We supplement these analyses with new data from the Hadza, a hunter-gatherer population in northern Tanzania. Longevity among small-scale populations approaches that of industrialized populations, and metabolic and cardiovascular disease are rare. Obesity prevalence is very low (<5%25), and mean body fat percentage is modest (women: 24-28%25, men: 9-18%25). Activity levels are high, exceeding 100mind-1 of moderate and vigorous physical activity, but daily energy expenditures are similar to industrialized populations. Diets in hunter-gatherer and other small-scale societies tend to be less energy dense and richer in fibre and micronutrients than modern diets but are not invariably low carbohydrate as sometimes argued. A more integrative understanding of hunter-gatherer health and lifestyle, including elements beyond diet and activity, will improve public health efforts in industrialized populations. |
Subject(s)
Diet; longevity; obesity; physical activity; Medical And Health Sciences; Psychology And Cognitive Sciences; Endocrinology & Metabolism |
Coverage
24 - 35 |
Language
english |
Publisher
eScholarship, University of California |
Type of publication
article |
Format
application/pdf |
Source
Pontzer, H; Wood, BM; & Raichlen, DA. (2018). Hunter-gatherers as models in public health. OBESITY REVIEWS, 19, 24 - 35. doi: 10.1111/obr.12785. UCLA: Retrieved from: http://www.escholarship.org/uc/item/1m87g85c |
Rights
public |
Identifier
qt1m87g85c |
Repository
Berkeley - University of California
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Added to C-A: 2019-01-23;09:19:34 |
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