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Evolutionary perspectives on the obesity epidemic: adaptive, maladaptive, and neutral viewpoints
1Key State Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chaoyang, Beijing 100101, People's Republic of China. J.speakman@abdn.ac.uk
Annual Review of Nutrition
|July 19, 2013
Summary
The thrifty gene hypothesis explaining obesity is not supported by evidence. Evolutionary factors, such as maladaptive by-products or neutral gene drift, may better explain modern obesity prevalence.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary biology
- Human genetics
- Obesity research
Background:
- Modern obesity is influenced by environmental changes and evolutionary genetic predispositions.
- Understanding the evolutionary origins of obesity is complex.
- Three main hypotheses explain the genetic basis of obesity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review evidence for and against three evolutionary explanations for obesity.
- To evaluate the validity of the thrifty gene hypothesis.
- To explore alternative evolutionary scenarios for modern obesity.
Main Methods:
- Review of scientific literature on evolutionary biology and obesity genetics.
- Critical analysis of the thrifty gene hypothesis.
- Examination of evidence for maladaptive by-products and neutral gene drift theories.
Main Results:
- The thrifty gene hypothesis is considered untenable.
- Evidence suggests that obesity may be a maladaptive by-product of selection on other traits.
- Neutral gene drift (drifty genes) offers a potential explanation for obesity susceptibility and resistance.
Conclusions:
- The thrifty gene hypothesis does not adequately explain modern obesity.
- Maladaptive by-products and neutral gene drift provide more plausible evolutionary explanations for the current obesity epidemic.
- Further research is needed to fully elucidate the evolutionary drivers of obesity.
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