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Towards a behavioural ecology of obesity

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 May 2017

Andrew D. Higginson ,
John M. McNamara  and
Sasha R. X. Dall
Andrew D. Higginson
Affiliation:
Centre for Research in Animal Behaviour, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter EX4 4QG, United [email protected]
John M. McNamara
Affiliation:
School of Mathematics, University of Bristol, University Walk, Bristol BS8 1TW, United [email protected]
Sasha R. X. Dall
Affiliation:
Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Penryn, Cornwall TR10 9FE, United Kingdom. [email protected]
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Abstract

Addressing the obesity epidemic depends on a holistic understanding of the reasons that people become and maintain excessive fat. Theories about the causes of obesity usually focus proximately or evoke evolutionary mismatches, with minimal clinical value. There is potential for substantial progress by adapting strategic body mass regulation models from evolutionary ecology to human obesity by assessing the role of information.

Type
Open Peer Commentary
Information
Behavioral and Brain Sciences , Volume 40 , 2017 , e118
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Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2017 

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