We investigate the startling but real possibility that a reduction in calories can lead to a increase in longevity. In perhaps the simplest model, it may be evolutionarily optimal for a permanent reduction in the food supply to cause such an increase in longevity. However, it is impossible to account for all the data if fertility is a function of the food input alone. We propose, therefore, a more flexible model, incorporating both metabolic by-products and infectious disease. Where there is little infectious disease, the only effect of decreased food is to decrease the production of metabolic by-products, so individuals have increased life expectancy. On the other hand, where infectious disease is prevalent, decreased food intake increases mortality because the resulting reduction in immune function increases the impact of the disease. These predictions are consistent with an empirical model based on income per capita and calorie intake per capita across modern nations.
Download Info
To download:
If you experience problems downloading a file, check if you have the
proper application to
view it first. Information about this may be contained
in the File-Format links below. In case of further problems read
the IDEAS help
page. Note that these files are not on the IDEAS
site. Please be patient as the files may be large.
Publisher Info
Article provided by Economics Bulletin in its journal Economics Bulletin.
Find related papers by JEL classification: Z0 - Other Special Topics - - General
Cited by: (explanations, Please report citation or reference errors to , or , if you are the registered author of the cited work, log in to your RePEc Author Service profile, click on "citations" and make appropriate adjustments.)