How Human Became Fat? An Anthropological Approach to the Development of Fatnessin Humans

Abstract

Evolutionary success of Homo sapiens is best understood by referring to natural selection on the twofold structure of inheritance, that is, gene and culture and also their interaction over time. Socioeconomic and technological variations have transformed lifestyles over the years. In tandem, deviations in food and physical activity forms have been crucial to the emergence of higher fatness among the world’s populations. The burden of obesity and its consequent diseases is becoming a public health concern. This article attempts to review the anthropological aspect of body fatness and size through its evolutionary perspective and bio-cultural changes in time and space.