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The Health Consequences of 'Modernisation'

Evidence from Circumpolar Peoples

Roy J Shephard author Andris Rode author

Format:Hardback

Publisher:Cambridge University Press

Published:23rd Feb '96

Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back

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The Health Consequences of 'Modernisation' cover

Investigates the health consequences of switching from an active 'hunter-gatherer' lifestyle to that of sedentary modern living.

The transition from an active hunter-gatherer lifestyle to that of a 'modern' urbanzsed lifestyle brings with it many consequences for health and fitness. In this volume, this transition is examined in circumpolar populations, where change has been rapid and extensive in the last thirty years.What are the health consequences of a transition from an active 'hunter-gatherer' lifestyle to that of sedentary modern living? In this book, the impact of 'modernization' is assessed in various populations in the circumpolar regions. The hazards of living in polar regions, and the adaptations shown culturally, behaviourally and physically by the indigenous peoples are examined and the effect of changes in habitual activity, diet, and general lifestyle due to more urban living patterns on the body composition, pulmonary function and susceptibility to disease discussed. The implications of this switch are important not only for all those concerned about the survival of indigenous communities around the world, but for all of us living in an increasingly sedentary, urban environment. Anthropologists, physiologists and those interested in population fitness will find this a comprehensive and valuable volume.

"The book is clearly written and well referenced, with numerous tables and charts used to display the biological data. Of interest to historians of science as well as human biologists and anthropologists." Choice
"...the authors have a fine and subtle feel for the arctic. Their constant flashes of cultural insight do a lot to enligten the dense biological data. I am asking my own graduate students to use this book as one model of how to conceptualize anthropologically informed human biology." A. Theodore Steegmann Jr., American Anthropologist
"The book's strength in physiological topics reflects the authors' background and experience. Moreover, there is much in this book that is useful for any health care practitioner and researcher with an interest in the North. It is a convenient, single-source introduction to the Inuit and their health status, with a comprehensive bibliography." Transcultural Psychiatry

ISBN: 9780521474016

Dimensions: 238mm x 159mm x 22mm

Weight: 580g

324 pages