title: Seasonal changes in 24-h and basal energy expenditures in rural Gambian men as measured in a respiration chamber.
abstract: Adaptation of 24-h energy expenditure (24-h EE) to seasonal variations in food availability was studied, by using a respiration chamber, in 18 rural Gambian men on three occasions: period 1--at the end of the rainy season, which is characterized by low food availability; period 2--during the nutritionally favorable dry season; and period 3--at the onset of the following rainy season. From periods 1 to 2 body weight increased by 2.8 +/- 0.4 kg, and a rise in 24-h EE was observed (from 8556 +/- 212 kJ/d to 9166 +/- 224 kJ/d), which was correlated to weight change (r = 0.73, P less than 0.001). During period 3, 24-h EE averaged 8740 +/- 194 kJ/d. Diet-induced thermogenesis increased significantly from periods 1 to 2 (5.9 +/- 0.5% to 8.2 +/- 0.8%) and subsequently decreased to 3.6 +/- 0.6% during period 3. In rural Gambian men, metabolic adaptations in response to seasonal changes in food availability are reflected by a decrease in body weight, mainly manifested by a loss of fat-free mass accompanied by a decreased 24-h EE and a lowered diet-induced thermogenesis.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Lausanne, Switzerland.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Minghelli
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Schutz
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Whitehead
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Jéquier
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001481:Basal Metabolism; D001835:Body Weight; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D003906:Developing Countries; D004526:Efficiency / Q000502:physiology; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D015444:Exercise; D005523:Food Supply; D005714:Gambia; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012424:Rural Population; D012621:Seasons; D012890:Sleep