Stress (Studies in Biology, Economy & Society)
Contributors: A.H. Bittles (Editor); P.A. Parsons (Editor)
Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan; Springer
Published: October 2, 1996
Language: eng
Format: Hardcover
Number of pages: 224
ISBN-13: 9780333666111
Subjects: Environmental factors; Environmental medicine; Human biology; Medical anthropology; Pre-Clinical Medicine: Basic Sciences
Description: "All species, including our own, are ultimately exposed to stressful pressures in adjusting to the physical features of environments. The collected papers in this volume begin with direct study of these pressures in fossil and living animal populations, and in outlier human populations and traditional societies. The examples show that stress simultaneously increases energy demands and reduces reproductive fitness. In this way, limits to adaptation occur which restrict the occupation of unfavourable habitats." "In contrast, contemporary studies on our own species are normally based on less extreme circumstances. The editors have selected examples to cover the wide and diverse range of stresses which act on humans under this relatively benign scenario, where physical stresses are ameliorated through adequate nutrition and cultural factors. Biotic factors assume importance, and the interplay between genetic, physiological, psychological and social factors in emphasised. However, the energetic consequences of physical stresses provide a credible working model and establish boundary conditions for future work covering evolutionary, biosocial and clinical perspectives."--BOOK JACKET.