title: Hunter-gatherer energetics and human obesity.
abstract: Western lifestyles differ markedly from those of our hunter-gatherer ancestors, and these differences in diet and activity level are often implicated in the global obesity pandemic. However, few physiological data for hunter-gatherer populations are available to test these models of obesity. In this study, we used the doubly-labeled water method to measure total daily energy expenditure (kCal/day) in Hadza hunter-gatherers to test whether foragers expend more energy each day than their Western counterparts. As expected, physical activity level, PAL, was greater among Hadza foragers than among Westerners. Nonetheless, average daily energy expenditure of traditional Hadza foragers was no different than that of Westerners after controlling for body size. The metabolic cost of walking (kcal kg(-1) m(-1)) and resting (kcal kg(-1) s(-1)) were also similar among Hadza and Western groups. The similarity in metabolic rates across a broad range of cultures challenges current models of obesity suggesting that Western lifestyles lead to decreased energy expenditure. We hypothesize that human daily energy expenditure may be an evolved physiological trait largely independent of cultural differences.
authors: Department of Anthropology, Hunter College, New York, New York, United States of America. herman.pontzer@hunter.cuny.edu
authors: Herman
authors: H
authors: Pontzer
authors: David A
authors: DA
authors: Raichlen
authors: Brian M
authors: BM
authors: Wood
authors: Audax Z P
authors: AZ
authors: Mabulla
authors: Susan B
authors: SB
authors: Racette
authors: Frank W
authors: FW
authors: Marlowe
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D009765:Obesity / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016138:Walking