Hello Ecolog-L, I recently read this article about the trends of obesity world-wide. One of the points the author makes,
"But such results don’t explain why the weight gain is also occurring in species that human beings don’t pamper, such as animals in labs, whose diets are strictly controlled. In fact, lab animals’ lives are so precisely watched and measured that the researchers can rule out accidental human influence: records show those creatures gained weight over decades without any significant change in their diet or activities. Obviously, if animals are getting heavier along with us, it can’t just be that they’re eating more Snickers bars and driving to work most days. On the contrary, the trend suggests some widely shared cause, beyond the control of individuals, which is contributing to obesity across many species." He refers to lab animals in this statement, but he mentions industrial chemicals and BPAs that get into the environment (more than just urban areas, I presume) and other viruses and bacteria that may relate to weight gain/loss. My question is, has anyone here on this listserv, or know of anyone doing long term ecological studies on mammals or other vertebrates where weights are recorded? I am curious if these kinds of compounds, which must be leaked into certain systems, at the very least, have the same kind of "obesogen" effect on ecosystems outside an urban center. I'd love to hear what any of you think about the matter. The article: http://www.aeonmagazine.com/being-human/david-berreby-obesity-era/ Thanks! Skylar -- Skylar Bayer University of Maine School of Marine Sciences Graduate Student of Marine Biology Darling Marine Center 193 Clark's Cove Road Walpole, ME 04573 skylar.ba...@maine.edu
