Survival of the fattest: fat babies were the key to evolution of the large human brain
SC Cunnane, MA Crawford - … and Physiology Part A: Molecular & …, 2003 - Elsevier
In the past 2 million years, the hominid lineage leading to modern humans evolved
significantly larger and more sophisticated brains than other primates. We propose that the
modern human brain was a product of having first evolved fat babies. Hence, the fattest
(infants) became, mentally, the fittest adults. Human babies have brains and body fat each
contributing to 11–14% of body weight, a situation which appears to be unique amongst
terrestrial animals. Body fat in human babies provides three forms of insurance for brain …
significantly larger and more sophisticated brains than other primates. We propose that the
modern human brain was a product of having first evolved fat babies. Hence, the fattest
(infants) became, mentally, the fittest adults. Human babies have brains and body fat each
contributing to 11–14% of body weight, a situation which appears to be unique amongst
terrestrial animals. Body fat in human babies provides three forms of insurance for brain …