The study, published today in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B, examined the lifestyles of the physically active Tsimane people, an indigenous population of forager-horticulturalists in lowland Bolivia, to see similarities and differences to adolescents living in post-industrialized nations.
The Tsimane had minimal hypertension, coronary artery disease and ate mostly what they grew or hunted. Their levels of physical activity were far higher than those in post-industrialized societies. Yet, at older ages they also do less physical activity during adolescence, like their cohorts in other cultures.
Related StoriesAs the body rapidly grows, it requires massive energy boosts to build muscle, bone, neural connections and the elements of sexual maturity. High levels of physical activity at this time and low levels of food will delay sexual maturity. Girls in particular pay a higher price for physical activity since it can slow down sexual maturation, critical from an evolutionary standpoint.