title: Less is better.
abstract: The "more is better" credo is evaluated in terms of its harmful ramifications on human health, the environment, and the survival of the human race. The trend towards greater height and body weight in developed countries is evaluated in terms of its negative aspects on health and longevity. The benefits of reduced caloric intake are discussed. Countries that survive on lower food intakes are shown to have much less heart disease, such as South Africa, where rural blacks outlive whites and also have a higher percentage of centenarians. The risks of increasing birth weight are discussed in terms of promoting cancer and overweight in adulthood. Rapid childhood growth also is shown to have risks because rapid maturity is in conflict with the need to have more time to learn about our complex world before reaching reproductive capability. The increase in the average size of humans aggravates our burgeoning population numbers, placing even greater demands on our need for fresh water, energy, resources, and a clean invironment. Many good things come in large packages, such as elephants, whales, and trees. While Sumo wrestlers, football players, and basketball players play an important role in our world, their small numbers do not pose a threat to our survival. However, their body habitus should not be the goal for the average male of the future.
authors.forename: Thomas T
authors.initials: TT
authors.lastname: Samaras
authors.forename: Harold
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Elrick
mesh_terms: D000886:Anthropometry; D001824:Body Constitution / Q000208:ethnology; D001921:Brain / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000208:ethnology; D005006:Ethnicity / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007360:Intelligence; D008017:Life Expectancy / Q000208:ethnology; D008019:Life Style; D008136:Longevity / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male