@article{16d6b349233c4cc0b13856bba39a88e6,
title = "Hunter-gatherers as models in public health",
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%), and mean body fat percentage is modest (women: 24–28%, men: 9–18%). Activity levels are high, exceeding 100 min d −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. ",
keywords = "Diet, longevity, obesity, physical activity",
author = "H. Pontzer and Wood, {B. M.} and Raichlen, {D. A.}",
note = "Funding Information: We thank the Hadza and our many collaborators for thoughtful discussions that helped shape our perspectives on human evolution, ecology and health. We also thank Carla Wood, Fides Kirei, Shani Msafiri, Ibrahim and Audax Mabulla, Layne Vashro, Charis Jonathan, Ruth Matiyas, Holiness, Herieth Cleophace, and Chris and Nani Schmeling for their invaluable assistance in the field. H. P. thanks Abdul Dulloo and the 2017 Fribourg Obesity Research Conference participants, where portions of this work were presented, for their insightful comments. Work with the Hadza was supported by the Univ. Arizona, Hunter College and Yale Univ., with grant support from the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF-BCS-0850815 [H. P.], NSF-BCS 1440867 [D. A. R.], NSF-BCS 1440841 [H. P.], NSF-BCS 1440671 [B. M. W]), The L.S.B. Leakey Foundation (B. M. W.) and The University of Arizona Bio5 Institute (D. A. R.). Funding Information: We thank the Hadza and our many collaborators for thoughtful discussions that helped shape our perspectives on human evolution, ecology and health. We also thank Carla Wood, Fides Kirei, Shani Msafiri, Ibrahim and Audax Mabulla, Layne Vashro, Charis Jonathan, Ruth Matiyas, Holiness, Herieth Cleophace, and Chris and Nani Schmeling for their invaluable assistance in the field. H. P. thanks Abdul Dulloo and the 2017 Fribourg Obesity Research Conference participants, where portions of this work were presented, for their insightful comments. Work with the Hadza was supported by the Univ. Arizona, Hunter College and Yale Univ., with grant support from the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF-BCS-0850815 [H. P.], NSF-BCS 1440867 [D. A. R.], NSF-BCS 1440841 [H. P.], NSF-BCS 1440671 [B. M. W]), The L.S.B. Leakey Foundation (B. M. W.) and The University of Arizona Bio5 Institute (D. A. R.). Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2018 World Obesity Federation",
year = "2018",
month = dec,
doi = "10.1111/obr.12785",
language = "English (US)",
volume = "19",
pages = "24--35",
journal = "Obesity Reviews",
issn = "1467-7881",
publisher = "Wiley-Blackwell",
}