Eating Disorders

Abstract

In the wild, land mammals are remarkably similar in their seasonal accumulation of body fat. They are rarely obese. Domestic or captive animals, and active or sedentary humans, however, show much variation in fat deposits. Low activity and excess food intake appear to be factors in fattening agricultural and domestic animals. Farming provides protection from predators and no dominance challenge, preservation (even severe restriction) of territorial boundaries as in poultry and cattle coops, and controlled breeding rather than natural selection. Furthermore, synthetic hormones are used to enhance livestock weight. These additives may have unknown health and weight-gain consequences in humans.