Abstract
From an evolutionary standpoint, human beings are hunter-gatherers (Eaton et al. 1988). Our culture has been transformed during the past 10,000 years, especially during the Industrial Revolution. Energy balance has been remarkably changed during the last few decades. The terms “obesogenic environment” and “build environment” (Papas et al. 2007) have been introduced in scientific literature. These changes include a marked change in dietary habits and physical activity (PA) patterns characterized by fast food, energy-dense diets, motorized transport, use of computers and frequent television viewing. Other factors, likely boosting this epidemic are assortative mating and epigenetic effects (Keith et al. 2006).
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Rey-López, J.P., Vicente-Rodríguez, G., Bueno, G., Moreno, L.A. (2011). Sedentary Behaviors and Obesity in Children and Adolescents. In: Moreno, L., Pigeot, I., Ahrens, W. (eds) Epidemiology of Obesity in Children and Adolescents. Springer Series on Epidemiology and Public Health, vol 2. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-6039-9_20
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