Energetics, adaptation, and adaptability

Datos Bibliográficos

ID22474493
AutoresStanley J Ulijaszek, Stanley Ulijaszek (0000-0001-6593-1103, University of Cambridge, autor de correspondencia)
Año1996
Volumen8
Número2
Páginas169-182
Fecha de publicación1996-01-01
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaAmerican Journal of Human Biology (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 1042-0533 • E-ISSN: 1520-6300
EditorialWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1002/(sici)1520-6300(1996)8:2<169::aid-ajhb4>3.0.co;2-y
PMID28557322
OpenAlexW2088907595
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas6
Referencias citadas72

Energy capture and conversion are fundamental to human existence, and over the past three decades biological anthropologists have used a number of approaches which incorporate energetics measures in studies of human population biology. Human groups can vary enormously in their energy expenditure. This review considers evidence for genetic adaptation and presents models for physiological adaptability to reduced physiological energy availability and/or negative energy balance. In industrialized populations, different aspects of energy expenditure have been shown to have a genetic component, including basal metabolic rate, habitual physical activity level, mechanical efficiency of work performance, and thermic effect of food. Metabolic adaptation to low energy intakes has been demonstrated in populations in both developing and industrialized nations. Thyroid hormone-related effects on energy metabolic responses to low physiological energy availability are unified in a model, linking energetic adaptability in physical activity and maintenance metabolism. Negative energy balance has been shown to be associated with reduced reproductive function in women experiencing seasonal environments in some developing countries. Existing models relating negative energy balance to menstrual or ovulatory function are largely descriptive, and do not propose any physiological mechanisms for this phenomenon. A model is proposed whereby reduced physiological energy availability could influence ovulatory function via low serum levels of the amino acid aspartate and reduced sympathetic nervous system activity. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Adaptability · Adaptation (eye) · Basal metabolic rate · Biology · Energetics · Energy balance · Energy metabolism · Environmental health · Population · Birth, Development, and Health · Body Composition Measurement Techniques · Ecology · Endocrinology · Medicine · Neuroscience · Thermoregulation and physiological responses