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Human Energy Expenditure in Anthropology and Beyond
Author(s) -
Ocobock Cara
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
american anthropologist
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.51
H-Index - 85
eISSN - 1548-1433
pISSN - 0002-7294
DOI - 10.1111/aman.13392
Subject(s) - energy expenditure , doubly labeled water , perspective (graphical) , energy (signal processing) , energy metabolism , calorie , life history theory , environmental ethics , positive economics , ecology , sociology , life history , economics , biology , computer science , philosophy , artificial intelligence , statistics , mathematics , endocrinology
ABSTRACT Humans have successfully inhabited every continent on this planet. Our ability to survive and thrive in such a wide range of environments is fascinating, particularly from an energetic perspective. As knowledge of human total energy expenditure (TEE, kcal day −1 ) has deepened, so too has the ability to interpret observable patterns in human metabolic physiology and apply these interpretations to our evolutionary history. This review examines the basic components of human TEE as well as the interactions among these components. This is followed by a discussion of two recent theories regarding limits on the amount of calories used and how those limits may mediate life‐history variables. Finally, this review provides a look ahead into the lesser explored areas of human TEE, suggesting future areas of research. The ability to measure how much energy humans expend and how they allocate that energy is a powerful tool that enables anthropologists to understand not only our past but also our present. [ energy expenditure, thermoregulation, life history ]