Abstract
Total daily energy expenditure ("total expenditure") reflects daily energy needs and is a critical variable in human health and physiology, but its trajectory over the life course is poorly studied. We analyzed a large, diverse database of total expenditure measured by the doubly labeled water method for males and females aged 8 days to 95 years. Total expenditure increased with fat-free mass in a power-law manner, with four distinct life stages. Fat-free mass-adjusted expenditure accelerates rapidly in neonates to ~50% above adult values at ~1 year; declines slowly to adult levels by ~20 years; remains stable in adulthood (20 to 60 years), even during pregnancy; then declines in older adults. These changes shed light on human development and aging and should help shape nutrition and health strategies across the life span.
Original language | English |
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Article number | eabe5017 |
Pages (from-to) | 808-812 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Science |
Volume | 373 |
Issue number | 6556 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 13 Aug 2021 |
Funding
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Acronym: NIDDK Funding numbers: R01DK080763 Funding numbers: R01DK085163 Funding numbers: P30DK072476 Funding numbers: R01DK074387 Funding numbers: R01DK080760 Funding numbers: R01DK056781 Funding numbers: K23DK068052 Funding numbers: R01DK030031 National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Acronym: NIAMS Funding numbers: U01AR071160 National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Acronym: NICHD Funding numbers: ZIAHD000641 National Center for Research Resources Acronym: NCRR Funding numbers: S10RR026764
Funders | Funder number |
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National Science Foundation | BCS-1824466 |
National Institute on Aging | R01AG029914, U01AG020478, U01AG022132, R56AG067200, U01AG020480 |
National Cancer Institute | R01CA119171 |
International Atomic Energy Agency |