Coping With Uncertainty in Food Supply

The problem of fluctuating food supply, with its attendant threats of famine and starvation, is highly topical as well as being of great practical and academic interest. This volume presents a survey of the subject by a group of cultural and biological anthropologists. The various contributors consider such areas as (i) the food resources of a particular population and the fluctuation in the availability of these resources; (ii) the relationships between fluctuations in food supply and the nature of natural environments and human economies; (iii) the biological and cultural characteristics that help peoples to cope with uncertainties in their food supply; and (iv) the effects of the increasing influence of advanced modern societies on traditional societies.;A variety of different societies from various parts of the world are examined, some from the standpoint of biological anthropology, others from cultural anthropology. All the authors bear in mind the fact that the underlying problem is that of malnutrition.;Nutritionists, agricultural economists, anthropologists, policy makers in governments and relief agencies will find this book of interest.