Question

proposed by james neel, the predicts that indigenous peoples have a genetic adaptation to nutrient storge to survive cycles of feast and famine, but today this is maladaptive because it predisposes indigenous peoples to the disease known as

Answer 1

The thrifty gene hypothesis by James Neel suggests genes evolved to store fat efficiently for famine survival; today, these genes can predispose to obesity-related diseases. Indigenous peoples also faced increased disease susceptibility due to lack of prior exposure to European diseases.

• James Neel proposed the thrifty gene hypothesis, which suggests that certain human populations evolved genes enabling them to efficiently store nutrients as body fat during periods of abundance.
• This adaptation was beneficial for surviving famine.
• However, in modern times, with constant access to food, this once-adaptive trait has become maladaptive, predisposing these populations to obesity-related diseases, such as type 2 diabetes.
• For indigenous peoples, the mismatch between their genetic predispositions and the Western diet and lifestyle can result in higher rates of such conditions.
• The historical lack of exposure to certain infectious diseases also made indigenous peoples more susceptible to illnesses brought by European colonization, further compounding their health challenges.