Economic Change and Secular Trends in the Growth of San Children

Document Type

Article

Authors

Alice J. Hausman, Boston University, Boston MA
Edwin W. Wilmsen, Boston University, Boston MA

Abstract

This paper compares anthropometric data taken from zu/oasi (zu) San of /ai/ai, Botswana living on three different diets: 1) traditional hunting and gathering, 2) a mixed diet of wild and domestic foods, 3) and settled agro-pastoralism. These data were collected at different points in time as the zu were making the transition from the former to the latter economies. In general, younger children are taller and at many ages weigh more when the traditional diet is supplemented with domestic food resources. Girls seem to have a more dramatic response to dietary changes than boys. The relationship between San diet and growth is complex.

Recommended Citation

Hausman, Alice J. and Wilmsen, Edwin W. (1985) "Economic Change and Secular Trends in the Growth of San Children," Human Biology: Vol. 57: Iss. 4, Article 5.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.wayne.edu/humbiol/vol57/iss4/5