Obesity in Ancient Egypt

FIT_Goat

https://proteinpower.com/drmike/2007/07/01/obesity-in-ancient-egypt/

This is an intersting, although very short, article talking about the Egyptian diet and the little but we do know about the health effect of it.

wabmester

Not much has changed after 3500 years.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obesity_in_the_Middle_East_and_North_Africa#Egypt

Egypt

In 1996, Egypt had the highest average BMI in the world at 26.3.[33] In 1998, 1.6% of 2–6 year olds, 4.9% of 6–10 year olds, 14.7% of 10–14 year olds, and 13.4% of 14–18 year olds were obese. 45% of urban women and 20% of the rural population were obese.[7]

Obesity rates rose as oils, fat, and sugars were more regularly consumed, beginning in the 1990s. The cultural appreciation of heavier female bodies is a factor.[7] Another explanation is the degree to which food is the center of social events and special occasions. Heavy consumption of starchy and fatty foods without the presence of a health-conscious exercise culture is a major factor. As parents teach this lifestyle to their children, the prevalence of childhood obesity increases.[34] Today, Egyptian teenagers drink three times as much soda as milk. Ten percent of males and females drink five or more cans of soda a day, which can lead to early osteoporosis in women in the future. These food habits are reinforced by junk food advertisements and the availability of unhealthy food at supermarkets. As a result, teenagers are three times as likely to be overweight than they were 20 years ago.[35]

sweetteadrinker2

I wish it had mentioned how they had determined cancer. It is hard to find in such remains and would have been cool to detail.

The teeth thing though is nice too know. My dentist is so happy that I'm low carb for that reason, strong teeth with thick enamel that will stay that way.

Dragonwolf

Reminds me of the Roman gladiators. There's actually some evidence that they displayed abdominal fat storage consistent with insulin resistance, because of the grain-based mash they were fed (because it was cheap and calorie-dense as hell). The abdominal fat was considered favorable for gladiators, too, because it provided extra protection of the vital organs in the arena (or was believed to, at least).

(Sorry, Spartacus fans, the real gladiators weren't the ripped eye candy portrayed by the show. They probably actually had the beginnings of a "beer gut" at least while they were in servitude.)

GaleHawkins

Thanks for the link. They have found people from this era in Egypt with fused spines like my caused by Ankylosing Spondylitis.

minties82

Absolutely fascinating. You always find the most interesting links.

deoxy4

Another description of the Egyptian diet. Staples were bread and beer, but low sugar in this article.

http://cotn.heavengames.com/history/food