Marishka writes:
> this really is true about swimmers and body fat.  Famous swimmer
> Diana Nyad spoke about it in her book, "Basic Training for Women."

Ardeith:  I like to watch the Olympic swimming events and
have noticed that the swimmers - while in great shape - all
have that "smoothing" effect of a fatty layer........Weren't we
discussing the Aquatic Ape theory awhile back?  Or was
that on some other list?   Anyway......humans are the only
primates who have this layer of fat....according to that
book.......and it is because we spent so much time wading
aroung in water early in our development......the fat kept
our core temps stable......and this is also used to explain
why only human females have fatty bulbous breasts....it
keeps milk at the right temp for babies.....(sorry, guys,
it's not for your delight! ;-o)  all other female primates
have flat breasts........

CB wrote: Not to be picky about a point, but I was
wondering - isn't the tropical Pacific water warm all year round?

Ardeith:  Unless the water is from a hot spring, or heated
artificially, it is almost always cooler than our body temp....
even in the tropics........which is why wading and swimming
feel refreshing....but over long periods of imersion, we can
lose our body heat.......so we developed that fatty layer,
and people who spend a lot of time snorkling wear wet-
suits so they don't become chilled......according to the
theory, that is...........Anyway, I wondered about swimming
for exercise, and wondered how retaining the fatty layer
would affect weight loss.......I wouldn't mind having a
swimmer's fatty layer if I could get rid of all the rest of
the fat..........

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