L’ invasione degli ultracorpi Parte prima
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Abstract
Nutrition is the most basic and at the same time the most complex manifestation of human life, permeated with nutritional, behavioral, cultural, religious, social, and economic meanings, and extremely varied with traditions, beliefs, and symbolism. It is influenced by the centuries-long changes in human history, and is often the architect of these changes itself. Studies conducted on various populations have shown that in the last century, developed countries have witnessed:
- a rapid and progressive increase in the average height of the population,
- subsequently an exponential increase in the prevalence of overweight and obese individuals,
- currently a trend of earlier puberty.
The speed and extent of these phenomena is undoubtedly linked to environmental factors (high energy and nutrient intake, low energy expenditure). In fact, the genetic heritage of African hominids from 140,000 years ago differs from ours by only 0.003%.
The pediatrician, always the first and often only nutritionist in the family, must be considered the fulcrum of this important battle for life: eating to live and not living to eat. Indeed, an approach begun early (between 2 and 3 years of age) seems to yield more lasting results.
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