Final answer:
Pastoral children were healthier due to better nutrition from natural food sources, increased physical activity, and sustainable practices reducing diseases common in settled communities.
Step-by-step explanation:
Pastoral children were often healthier than their sedentary counterparts due to several factors. They generally consumed a more nourished diet that was typical of their natural lifestyle, leading to lower instances of undernutrition, malnutrition, and obesity. The mobility of pastoral life required a division of labor that involved outdoor activities which kept children active, contributing to their physical well-being. Furthermore, pastoralists had a vast knowledge of the environment and adapted by strategically moving to different areas, which enabled them to avoid the detrimental effects of overgrazing and maintain a sustainable way of life. Sedentary children, on the other hand, were more exposed to contagious diseases that could spread quickly in a settled environment.