Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-gb8f7 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-24T05:37:57.720Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

A life-history theory perspective on obesity

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 May 2017

Andrea G. Dittmann  and
Jon K. Maner
Andrea G. Dittmann
Affiliation:
Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208-1220. [email protected]@kellogg.northwestern.eduwww.jonmaner.com
Jon K. Maner
Affiliation:
Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208-1220. [email protected]@kellogg.northwestern.eduwww.jonmaner.com
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

We extend Nettle et al.’s insurance hypothesis (IH) argument, drawing upon life-history theory (LHT), a developmental evolutionary perspective that documents downstream consequences of early-life exposure to unpredictable environments. We discuss novel evidence consistent with both IH and LHT, suggesting that early-life exposure to unpredictable environments is associated with reduced engagement in weight management behaviors and a greater probability of adulthood obesity.

Type
Open Peer Commentary
Information
Behavioral and Brain Sciences , Volume 40 , 2017 , e115
Check for updates
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2017 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Griskevicius, V., Ackerman, J. M., Cantú, S. M., Delton, A. W., Robertson, T. E., Simpson, J. A., Thompson, M. E. & Tybur, J. M. (2013) When the economy falters, do people spend or save? Responses to resource scarcity depend on childhood environments. Psychological Science 24:197–205. Available at: http://doi.org/10.1177/0956797612451471.Google Scholar
Hill, S. E., Prokosch, M. L., DelPriore, D. J., Griskevicius, V. & Kramer, A. (2016) Low childhood socioeconomic status promotes eating in the absence of energy need. Psychological Science 27:1–11. Available at: http://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781107415324.004.Google Scholar
Kaplan, H. S. & Gangestad, S. W. (2005) Life history theory and evolutionary psychology. In: The handbook of evolutionary psychology, ed.Buss, D. M., pp. 68–95. Wiley.Google Scholar
Maner, J. K., Dittmann, A. G., Meltzer, A. & McNulty, J. (under review) Life history strategies and dysregulated weight management: Implications for obesity.Google Scholar
Olson, C. M., Bove, C. F. & Miller, E. O. (2007) Growing up poor: Long-term implications for eating patterns and body weight. Appetite 49(1):198–207. Available at: http://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2007.01.012.Google Scholar
Simpson, J. A., Griskevicius, V., Kuo, S. I.-C., Sung, S. & Collins, W. A. (2012) Evolution, stress, and sensitive periods: The influence of unpredictability in early versus late childhood on sex and risky behavior. Developmental Psychology 48(3):674–86. Available at: http://doi.org/10.1037/a0027293.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed