Herman Pontzer|David A. Raichlen|Brian M. Wood|Audax Mabulla|Susan B. Racette|Frank W. Marlowe
Hunter-Gatherer Energetics and Human Obesity
Hunter College|New York Consortium in Evolutionary Primatology|University of Arizona|Yale University|University of Dar es Salaam|Washington University in St. Louis|University of Cambridge
western lifestyles differ markedly huntergatherer ancestors differences diet activity level often implicated global obesity pandemic however physiological data huntergatherer populations available test models obesity study used doublylabeled water method measure total daily energy expenditure kcalday hadza huntergatherers test whether foragers expend energy day western counterparts expected physical activity level pal greater among hadza foragers among westerners nonetheless average daily energy expenditure traditional hadza foragers different westerners controlling body size metabolic cost walking kcal kg1 m1 resting kcal kg1 s1 also similar among hadza western groups similarity metabolic rates across broad range cultures challenges current models obesity suggesting western lifestyles lead decreased energy expenditure hypothesize human daily energy expenditure may evolved physiological trait largely independent cultural differences