El Podcast

E136: Pediatrician Explains How to Raise Healthy Kids in our Modern World

Episode Summary

Dr. Paul Turke, pediatrician & anthropologist, explores the evolutionary aspects of child health, grandparent roles, and the societal impacts of aging in his book Bringing Up Baby. He emphasizes the importance of kinship networks, exercise, and purpose in enhancing mental well-being and long-term health.

Episode Notes

Dr. Paul Turke, a pediatrician and anthropologist, discusses his book Bringing Up Baby, exploring evolutionary insights on child health, grandparent roles, and the social aspects of aging, with a focus on how early life and kinship networks impact development.

Guest Bio:
Dr. Paul Turke is a pediatrician and anthropologist with expertise in child development, evolutionary health, and pediatrics. He is the author of Bringing Up Baby, which explores child health through an evolutionary lens, with a particular focus on grandparent involvement, autism, and mental well-being.

Topics Discussed:

• The evolutionary role of grandparents in human lifespan and health
• Autism and the potential link to vision disorders in infants
• The importance of exercise and purpose in preventing anxiety and depression
• The influence of kinship networks on parenting in modern society
• The impact of diet and exercise on aging and long-term health
• The role of parents and grandparents in child development

Key Points:

• Grandparents are evolutionary assets, contributing to human longevity through indirect reproduction and support of grandchildren, helping to maintain strong natural selection.
• Autism may be linked to vision issues in infants, where early correction of visual impairments could potentially reduce the risk of developmental disorders.
• Anxiety is an evolved guidance system, and mental well-being can be better supported by exercise, outdoor activities, and social engagement rather than relying solely on medication.

Top 3 Quotes:

• "Live long and be helpful"
• "Anxiety serves a purpose. We need to learn how to deal with it, not eliminate it."
• "The planet will benefit if our children are the ones who solve the problems of the future."