Early Pleistocene faunivorous hominins were not kleptoparasitic, and this impacted the evolution of human anatomy and socio-ecology.

Humans are unique in their diet, physiology and socio-reproductive behavior compared to other primates. They are also unique in the ubiquitous adaptation to all biomes and habitats. From an evolutionary perspective, these trends seem to have started about two million years ago, coinciding with the emergence of encephalization, the reduction of the dental apparatus, the adoption of a fully terrestrial lifestyle, resulting in the emergence of the modern anatomical bauplan, the focalization of certain activities in the landscape, the use of stone tools, and the exit from Africa. It is in this period that clear taphonomic evidence of a switch in diet with respect to Pliocene hominins occurred, with the adoption of carnivory. Until now, the degree of carnivorism in early humans remained controversial. A persistent hypothesis is that hominins acquired meat irregularly (potentially as fallback food) and opportunistically through klepto-foraging. Here, we test this hypothesis and show, in contrast, that the butchery practices of early Pleistocene hominins (unveiled through systematic study of the patterning and intensity of cut marks on their prey) could not have resulted from having frequent secondary access to carcasses. We provide evidence of hominin primary access to animal resources and emphasize the role that meat played in their diets, their ecology and their anatomical evolution, ultimately resulting in the ecologically unrestricted terrestrial adaptation of our species. This has major implications to the evolution of human physiology and potentially for the evolution of the human brain.

Earliest porotic hyperostosis on a 1.5-million-year-old hominin, olduvai gorge, Tanzania.

Meat-eating was an important factor affecting early hominin brain expansion, social organization and geographic movement. Stone tool butchery marks on ungulate fossils in several African archaeological assemblages demonstrate a significant level of carnivory by Pleistocene hominins, but the discovery at Olduvai Gorge of a child's pathological cranial fragments indicates that some hominins probably experienced scarcity of animal foods during various stages of their life histories. The child's parietal fragments, excavated from 1.5-million-year-old sediments, show porotic hyperostosis, a pathology associated with anemia. Nutritional deficiencies, including anemia, are most common at weaning, when children lose passive immunity received through their mothers' milk. Our results suggest, alternatively, that (1) the developmentally disruptive potential of weaning reached far beyond sedentary Holocene food-producing societies and into the early Pleistocene, or that (2) a hominin mother's meat-deficient diet negatively altered the nutritional content of her breast milk to the extent that her nursing child ultimately died from malnourishment. Either way, this discovery highlights that by at least 1.5 million years ago early human physiology was already adapted to a diet that included the regular consumption of meat.

Tratamiento del niño obeso / Obese child treatment

La obesidad, en la niñez y la adolescencia, ha pasado de ser una enfermedad rara a una epidemia emergente, con consecuencias adversas en etapas ulteriores de la vida. En niños con sobrepeso y obesidad, se ha evidenciado incremento de la alteración del metabolismo de los carbohidratos, enfermedad cardiovascular, problemas psicosociales y trastornos alimentarios. El inicio de estrategias de prevención y tratamiento debe ser multidisciplinario, con la intervención no solo de profesionales de la salud sino de todos los involucrados en el ámbito escolar, familiar y gubernamental. Las razones por las que no se tiene éxito tienen que ver con factores culturales, creencias y prejuicios, pero también se relaciona con insuficiente preparación del personal involucrado en su manejo. El tratamiento de la obesidad no debe centrarse sólo en indicaciones de dieta y ejercicio, sino también de convencer al niño o adolescente, para lograr cambios en el área afectiva, lo más difícil de lograr en el ámbito educativo. La prevención constituye la mejor herramienta que contribuirá a modificar la historia natural de la enfermedad y evolución clínica desde etapas tempranas de la vida. En esta revisión, los profesionales de la salud encontrarán respuesta informada y recomendaciones a una serie de interrogantes que plantean la asistencia clínica cotidiana de obesidad en pediatría. La revisión fue desarrollada con la participación de expertos en las diferentes disciplinas de atención de este grupo de pacientes, con el objetivo de alcanzar el mayor impacto positivo en el manejo, tanto de prevención como de tratamiento de obesidad en pediatría.

Childhood obesity is not longer a rare disorder; it has become in a growing epidemic that result in serious consequences later on life. Children who had an excessive body weight have a higher prevalence of metabolic disorders, cardiovascular disease, psy-chosocial pathology and abnormal eating behaviors. Preventive and therapeutic programs against childhood obesity should be multifaceted, including the participation of health professionals, school teachers, relatives and the government. Multiple factors may limit the efficacy of such programs, including, cultural factors, prejudice, misbelieves and inadequate preparation of the personnel in charge. Obesity treatment extends beyond the prescription of the dietary plan and an exercise program. It should modify patient's attitudes and their ability to confront emotions. Prevention is the best approach to change the natural course of the disease. In this review, health professionals will find recommendations for the treatment of childhood obesity. This manuscript was prepared with the participation of several expert clinicians with complimentary points of view. The multi-disciplinary approach has the greater likelihood for being successful in this condition.