American journal of human biology : the official journal of the Human Biology Council
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A fundamental evolutionary problem faced by organisms is how to allocate energy to somatic and reproductive functions in ways that optimize fitness. Given that energy is limited in all environments, energy allocation necessarily involves physiological tradeoffs between such factors as growth and reproduction, reproduction and condition, and current reproduction and future survival. Ultimately, the "decisions" that are made about energy allocation among growth, survival, and reproduction determine life history patterns and trajectories of organisms. ⋯ The results corroborate predictions from life history theory and have applied public health implications. In particular, It is suggested that policies such as lactation advocacy that encourage enhanced energy allocation to reproduction in order to promote child health may have the unintended result of compromising maternal well-being, particularly in nations of the developing world. Consequently, it is recommended that nutritional support of mothers be implemented in concert with lactation promotion.