Page 265 - EJMO-9-1

Eurasian Journal of Medicine
and Oncology

LETTER TO EDITOR
Why has not human evolution addressed

obesity?

Amirhossein Rahmani 1 , Seyed Alireza Dastgheib 2 ,
3
Hossein Neamatzadeh *
1 Department of Plastic Surgery, Iranshahr University of Medical Sciences, Iranshahr, Iran
2 Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences,
Shiraz, Iran
3 Mother and Newborn Health Research Center, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences,
Yazd, Iran

Dear Editor,
The obesity epidemic remains a significant public health challenge, highlighting gaps
in evolutionary adaptations despite advancements in our understanding of human
biology and nutrition. This persistent issue arises from a complex interplay of biological,
environmental, and cultural factors. By examining obesity through an evolutionary
lens, we can gain valuable insights into its root causes and explore strategies for effective
prevention and management.
Historically, human evolution favored metabolic processes that promote fat storage
as a survival mechanism during periods of food scarcity. This adaptation was crucial
for maintaining energy reserves in ancestral environments. However, it has become
disadvantageous in today’s world, where high-calorie foods are readily available, and
1
2
sedentary lifestyles are common. Scholars such as Bellisari and Staub et al. note that the
*Corresponding author:
Hossein Neamatzadeh genetic predisposition to store fat, known as the “thrifty genotype,” was advantageous
(neamatzadehh@gmail.com) in the past but now presents challenges in an era of caloric surplus. Rapid dietary
Citation: Rahmani A, Dastgheib and lifestyle changes, driven by the availability of processed foods, have outpaced our
SA, Neamatzadeh H. Why has evolutionary adaptations, creating a disconnect between our biological heritage and
not human evolution addressed contemporary behaviors. 3
obesity? Eurasian J Med Oncol.
2025;9(1):257-259. Cultural influences also significantly shape eating patterns, as societal norms often
doi: 10.36922/ejmo.5384
promote the consumption of energy-dense foods and influence body image perceptions,
Received: October 22, 2024 further complicating the rise in obesity rates. Genetic variation plays a crucial role
Accepted: November 11, 2024 in understanding susceptibility to obesity, with certain genetic traits predisposing
individuals to weight gain. These traits interact with lifestyle choices and social contexts.
Published online: December 13, 2024
For instance, individuals with obesity-related genes may experience different outcomes
Copyright: © 2024 Author(s). based on their environments and psychosocial factors. Addressing the multifaceted
4,5
This is an Open-Access article nature of obesity requires comprehensive strategies that consider both individual
distributed under the terms of the
Creative Commons Attribution behaviors and broader societal influences. Emotional eating, often linked to stress and
License, permitting distribution, mental health issues, further complicates the obesity landscape, underscoring the need
and reproduction in any medium, for holistic prevention and management approaches. Historical perspectives suggest
6
provided the original work is
properly cited. that higher body fat percentages may have conferred reproductive advantages in early
human societies, indicating that traits perceived as maladaptive today may have been
Publisher’s Note: AccScience
Publishing remains neutral with beneficial in different contexts. 7
regard to jurisdictional claims in
published maps and institutional Natural selection significantly influences genetic predispositions related to obesity.
affiliations In modern environments, a relaxation of selective pressures has led to an increase in

Volume 9 Issue 1 (2025) 257 doi: 10.36922/ejmo.5384