evolutionary-related stories
It's true, we really do crave carbs in winter
Find yourself craving a big bowl of spaghetti once the first snow flies? I know I do -- something about the cold weather makes me want to hole up with my comfort foods -- mac n' cheese, grilled cheese sandwiches, pasta and so on. And I'm not alone.
Winter controls the appetites of many, according to this article from WebMD, and those extra pounds can really add up. So what's causing this? Is it a side affect of SAD (Seasonal affective disorder)? Maybe, but it's more likely that it's evolutionary -- we're programmed to store more fat in the winter in case of a food shortage.
Want to know more about your winter cravings? Click here.
Winter controls the appetites of many, according to this article from WebMD, and those extra pounds can really add up. So what's causing this? Is it a side affect of SAD (Seasonal affective disorder)? Maybe, but it's more likely that it's evolutionary -- we're programmed to store more fat in the winter in case of a food shortage.
Want to know more about your winter cravings? Click here.
Why Skinny People Don't Like Fat People: It's Evolutionary
As I sit down to work in the afternoon, I often have the TV blaring away in the background, and while most people would find it impossible to work in such conditions, I don't really like TV (especially daytime TV) so I find it easy to tune out. Over the past few weeks, I've listened with mild amusement to some old episodes of The Dr. Phil House, where opposites are pitted against one another in a blatant attempt at ratings. If you haven't seen it, it's a reality TV-style house that contains a fat guy who hates skinny people and a skinny girl who hates fat people, plus an array of other colorful combinations.
I do have a point here. A study shows that the skinny girl who hates fat people might not just be prejudiced -- it might be an evolved response. According to The Independent in Britain, when a slim person sees an obese person, their immune system is triggered because the brain relates site of the obese person to a fear of infection. Moreover, in a series of questions given to subjects, the people who exhibited disgust toward germs and bad hygiene were more likely to discriminate against someone based on their weight.
But regardless of whether it's a "natural" reaction, discrimination is still wrong, and I think being prejudiced is ultimately a learned behavior. What do you think?
I do have a point here. A study shows that the skinny girl who hates fat people might not just be prejudiced -- it might be an evolved response. According to The Independent in Britain, when a slim person sees an obese person, their immune system is triggered because the brain relates site of the obese person to a fear of infection. Moreover, in a series of questions given to subjects, the people who exhibited disgust toward germs and bad hygiene were more likely to discriminate against someone based on their weight.
But regardless of whether it's a "natural" reaction, discrimination is still wrong, and I think being prejudiced is ultimately a learned behavior. What do you think?
