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Size-dependent reproductive success in Gambian men: does height or weight matter more?

Sear, R.

Size-dependent reproductive success in Gambian men: does height or weight matter more? Thumbnail


Authors

R. Sear



Abstract

Size is an important component of life history analysis, as it is both a determinant and an outcome of life history decisions. Here, we present an investigation of the relationships between two components of size (height and weight) and life history outcomes for men in a rural Gambian population. This population suffered seasonal food shortages and high disease loads, and lacked access to medical care or contraception. We find that there is no relationship between height and mortality among adult men. Tall men also do not have more children than shorter men, though they do contract slightly more marriages than shorter men. Tall men, therefore, do not seem to have higher reproductive success in this Gambian population. Instead, weight (measured by BMI) appears to be a better predictor of life history outcomes, and ultimately reproductive success, in this population. Heavier men have lower mortality rates, contract more marriages and have higher fertility than thinner men.

Citation

Sear, R. (2006). Size-dependent reproductive success in Gambian men: does height or weight matter more?. Biodemography and Social Biology, 53(3-4), 172-188. https://doi.org/10.1080/19485565.2006.9989125

Journal Article Type Article
Publication Date Oct 1, 2006
Deposit Date Oct 19, 2010
Publicly Available Date Feb 14, 2011
Journal Biodemography and Social Biology
Print ISSN 1948-5565
Electronic ISSN 1948-5573
Publisher Taylor and Francis Group
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 53
Issue 3-4
Pages 172-188
DOI https://doi.org/10.1080/19485565.2006.9989125

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Copyright Statement
This is an electronic version of an article published in Sear, R. (2006) 'Size-dependent reproductive success in Gambian men : does height or weight matter more ?', Biodemography and social biology., 53 (3-4). pp. 172-188.
Biodemography and social biology is available online at: http://www.informaworld.com/smpp/ with the open URL of your article.





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