#76 Dr. John Speakman - The Evolution of Body Fatness
In this episode of The Muscle Memoirs Podcast, I am joined by Dr. John Speakman to discuss the evolution of body fatness. We cover if there is an evolutionary advantage to obesity, different models of body weight regulation, human predisposition to sedentary behavior, and more. John runs two research groups: one in Beijing China, and one in Aberdeen, Scotland. His work focuses on energy balance - the factors that govern variation in food intake and energy expenditure, and the consequences for fat storage (obesity) and other physiological parameters such as oxidative stress and aging. This includes studies in free-living and captive animals and humans. John's work stretches from the gene to the individual and increasingly includes a systems biology perspective. His lab has particular expertise in using isotopes to measure aspects of energy metabolism. More specifically, daily energy expenditure using the doubly labeled water method. References The evolution of body fatness: trading off disease and predation risk Obesity: The Integrated Roles of Environment and Genetics An Evolutionary Perspective on Sedentary Behavior Timestamps00:00 Introduction02:50 From an evolutionary perspective, why would humans possess the capacity to become severely obese?07:30 Shortcomings of the thrifty gene hypothesis 15:10 Limitations of the set point and settling point models24:20 Dual-intervention point model28:50 Predation risk36:45 The critical role of the brain in understanding obesity 41:15 Genetics vs. environment in the development of obesity44:15 It's not just willpower47:25 Human proclivity to sedentary behavior: an evolutionary perspective50:35 How do we motivate the public to become more physically active? Sign-up for virtual nutrition counseling and personal training: Website: hammerawayfitness.comIG: https://www.instagram.com/hammerawayfitness/Hammer Away Newsletter You can follow and support John at:Twitter: https://twitter.com/JohnSpeakman4ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/John-Speakman-3 Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/themusclememoirs)