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Cited by 589Body Composition Measurement TechniquesNutrition and Health StudiesRegulation of Appetite and Obesity

Daily energy expenditure through the human life course

Open access
Pontzer, Herman, Yamada, Yosuke, Sagayama, Hiroyuki, Ainslie, Philip N., Andersen, Lene F., Anderson, Liam J., Arab, Lenore, Baddou, Issaad +75 more·2021·Science
DOI 10.1126/science.abe5017PMC PMC8370708
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Abstract

A lifetime of change: Measurements of total and basal energy in a large cohort of subjects at ages spanning from before birth to old age document distinct changes that occur during a human lifetime. Pontzer et al . report that energy expenditure (adjusted for weight) in neonates was like that of adults but increased substantially in the first year of life (see the Perspective by Rhoads and Anderson). It then gradually declined until young individuals reached adult characteristics, which were maintained from age 20 to 60 years. Older individuals showed reduced energy expenditure. Tissue metabolism thus appears not to be constant but rather to undergo transitions at critical junctures. —LBR

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1126/science.abe5017

Cites

54 of 54 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Nothing to recompute.

Claims the paper makes

0 of 28 cited sources checked · 0 supported · 0 flagged

  • Findingown data

    At ages 9-15 months, adjusted total and basal energy expenditures were about 50% above adult values.

    “For subjects between 9 and 15 months, adjusted total and basal expenditures were nearly ~50% elevated compared to adults (Figure 2).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingown data

    Adjusted total energy expenditure fell by 2.8 ± 0.1% per year, from 147.8 ± 22.6% at 1-2 years (n=102) to 102.7 ± 18.1% at 20-25 years (n=314).

    “Adjusted total expenditure declined at a rate of −2.8 ± 0.1% per year from 147.8 ± 22.6% for subjects 1 – 2 y (n = 102) to 102.7 ± 18.1% for subjects 20 – 25 y (n = 314; Tables S2, S4).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingown data

    Sex did not detectably affect the rate at which adjusted total energy expenditure declined with age (sex:age interaction p=0.30).

    “but sex had no detectable effect on the rate of decline in adjusted total expenditure with age (sex:age interaction p=0.30).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Findingown data

    Body-size-adjusted energy expenditure fell steadily during childhood and adolescence.

    “but body size-adjusted expenditures steadily declined.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingown data

    In the first month of life, adjusted total energy expenditure averaged 99.0 ± 17.2% (n=35), close to adult values.

    “Neonates in the first month of life had size-adjusted energy expenditures similar to adults, with adjusted total expenditure of 99.0 ± 17.2% (n = 35)”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • May combine two claims. 17
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. 1

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Total and basal energy expenditure and fat-free mass rose with age throughout childhood and adolescence.

    “Total and basal expenditure, along with fat free mass, continued to increase with age throughout childhood and adolescence (Figure 1), but body size-adjusted expenditures steadily declined.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Adjusted total and basal energy expenditures remained stable during pregnancy; the rise in unadjusted values matched that expected from maternal gains in fat-free mass and fat mass.

    “Adjusted total and basal expenditures were stable even during pregnancy, the elevation in unadjusted expenditures matching those expected from the gain in mothers’ fat free mass and fat mass (Figure 2C).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    A segmented regression breakpoint in adjusted total energy expenditure occurred at 20.5 years (95% CI 19.8-21.2), after which it leveled off at adult values.

    “Segmented regression analysis identified a breakpoint in adjusted total expenditure at 20.5 y (95% CI: 19.8, 21.2), after which it plateaued at adult levels (Figure 2).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Total and basal energy expenditure and fat-free mass were stable between ages 20 and 60.

    “Total and basal expenditure and fat free mass were all stable from age 20 to 60 (Figure 1, 2; Tables S1, S2; Text S1).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Adjusted total energy expenditure fell by 0.7 ± 0.1% per year, and adjusted basal expenditure fell at similar rates.

    “Adjusted total expenditure declined by −0.7 ± 0.1% per year, and adjusted basal expendiure fell at a similar rates (Figure 2, Figure S3, Text S1, Table S4).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Around age 60, total and basal energy expenditure begin to decline, together with fat-free mass and fat mass.

    “At ~60 y, total and basal expenditure begin to decline, along with fat free mass and fat mass (Figures 1, S3, Table S1).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Sex had no effect on total energy expenditure in multivariate models including fat-free mass and fat mass, nor on adjusted total energy expenditure.

    “Sex had no effect on total expenditure in multivariate models with fat free mass and fat mass, nor in analyses of adjusted total expenditure (Tables S2, S4).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Observed basal expenditure was about 30% above organ-based estimates in early life (1-20 years) and about 20% below them after age 60.

    “Still, observed basal expenditure exceeded organ-based estimates by ~30% in early life (1 – 20 y) and was ~20% lower than organ-based estimates in subjects over 60 y (Figure S6)”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingreasoning

    Organ-based basal expenditure, estimated from organ size and tissue-specific metabolic rate, follows a power law with fat-free mass and roughly matches observed basal expenditure.

    “and thus organ-based basal expenditure, estimated from organ size and tissue-specific metabolic rate, follows a power-law relationship with fat free mass, roughly consistent with observed basal expenditures (Methods, Figure S6).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Fat mass and fat percentage did not increase during the period of declining metabolic rate in older adults.

    “However, neither fat mass nor percentage increased in this period (Figure S3)”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationown data

    The exponent linking energy expenditure to fat-free mass is below 1, so the expenditure-to-mass ratio is not an adequate body-size control.

    “Notably, analyses indicated an exponent <1, meaning that the ratio of energy expenditure/mass does not adequately control for body size because the ratio inherently trends lower for larger individuals (Figure S1 (18)).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [18] Allison DB, Paultre F, Goran MI, Poehlman ET, Heymsfield SB, Statistical considerations regarding the use of ratios to adjust data. Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord 19, 644– 652 (1995). 8574275

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    Only models including age-related changes in both physical activity and tissue-specific metabolism match observed expenditures, indicating that both contribute to total expenditure and its components across life.

    “Only when age-related changes in physical activity and tissue-specific metabolism are included does model output match observed expenditures, indicating that variation in both physical activity and tissue-specific metabolism contribute to total expenditure and its components across the lifespan.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • The authors state this as an assumption: Activity costs are proportional to body weight.
    • The authors state this as an assumption: Basal expenditure can be modeled as a power function of fat-free mass multiplied by a tissue-specific metabolism term.

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationown data

    Human measures here challenge that view: size-adjusted metabolism is about 50% higher in childhood than in adults (including pregnant women) and about 25% lower in the oldest subjects.

    “Measures of humans here challenge this view, with size adjusted metabolism elevated ~50% in childhood compared to adults (including pregnant females), and ~25% lower in the oldest subjects.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Total and basal energy expenditure rise from childhood through puberty, but much of the rise is due to greater fat-free mass, and the role of endocrine or other effects is uncertain.

    “Total and basal expenditure increase from childhood through puberty, but much of this increase is attributable to increased fat free mass, and the role of endocrine or other effects is uncertain (15).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [15] Cheng HL, Amatoury M, Steinbeck K, Energy expenditure and intake during puberty in healthy nonobese adolescents: a systematic review. Am J Clin Nutr 104, 1061– 1074 (2016). 27629054

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Large studies of human energy use have mostly measured only resting metabolism or have inferred total use from resting metabolism plus daily activity.

    “Most large (n>1,000) analyses of human energy expenditure have been limited to basal expenditure, the metabolic rate at rest (1), which accounts for only a portion (usually ~50-70%) of total expenditure, or have estimated total expenditure from basal expenditure and daily physical activity (2–5).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 5 sources checked
    • cites [1] Henry CJ, Basal metabolic rate studies in humans: measurement and development of new equations. Public Health Nutr 8, 1133– 1152 (2005). 16277825 source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [2] FAO, Human energy requirements: report of a joint FAO/ WHO/UNU Expert Consultation. Food Nutr Bull 26, 166 (2005). 15810802

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [3] Westerterp KR, de Boer JO, Saris WHM, Schoffelen PFM, ten Hoor F, Measurement of energy expenditure using doubly labelled water. Int J Sport Med 5, S74– 75 (1984).

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [4] Klein PD Calorimetric validation of the doubly-labelled water method for determination of energy expenditure in man. Hum Nutr Clin Nutr 38, 95– 106 (1984). 6423577

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [5] Speakman JR, Doubly Labelled Water: Theory and Practice. (Chapman and Hall, London, 1997).

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    The fall in total energy expenditure beginning in the sixth decade tracks declines in fat-free mass and physical activity level, but may also reflect age-related reductions in organ metabolism.

    “The decline in total expenditure beginning in the sixth decade of life corresponds with a decline in fat free mass (9) and “physical activity level”, PAL (the ratio of total/basal expenditure), but may also reflect age-related reductions in organ metabolism.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [9] Speakman JR, Westerterp KR, Associations between energy demands, physical activity, and body composition in adult humans between 18 and 96 y of age. Am J Clin Nutr 92, 826– 834 (2010). 20810973 source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Life-history metabolic models commonly assume that tissue-specific metabolism is continuous across life, that cellular metabolic rates scale as a power law, and that energy used for juvenile growth becomes available for reproduction in adults.

    “Metabolic models of life history commonly assume continuity in tissue-specific metabolism over the life course, with cellular metabolic rates increasing in a power-law manner (Energy = aMassb) and the energy available for growth during the juvenile period made available for reproduction in adults (29, 30).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [29] West GB, Brown JH, Enquist BJ, A general model for ontogenetic growth. Nature 413, 628– 631 (2001). 11675785

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [30] Brown JH, Gillooly JF, Allen AP, Savage VM, West GB, Toward a metabolic theory of ecology. Ecology 85, 1771– 1789 (2004).

      Not checked in the free run.

17 of 17

  • The authors state this as an assumption.

    Activity costs are proportional to body weight.

    “assuming activity costs are proportional to weight”

  • The authors state this as an assumption.

    Basal expenditure can be modeled as a power function of fat-free mass multiplied by a tissue-specific metabolism term.

    “basal expenditure was modeled as a power function of fat free mass (consistent with organ-based BEE estimates; Methods) multiplied by a “tissue specific metabolism” term”
2 of 2

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  • Neonatal basal expenditure is reported as both 78% and approximately 100% of adult levels

    Minor

    The first-month estimate for adjusted basal expenditure is 78.1% of the adult-expected value, but the later discussion describes both adjusted measures in the first weeks after birth as approximately 100%.

1 of 1

Cites

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Research works printed but not linked: 1

  1. M. Elia in Physiology Stress and Malnutrition J. M. Kinney H. N. Tucker Eds. (Raven Press 1997) pp. 383–411.

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Authors
Pontzer, H., Yamada, Y., Sagayama, H., Ainslie, P. N., Andersen, L. F., Anderson, L. J., Arab, L., Baddou, I., Bedu-Addo, K., Blaak, E. E., Blanc, S., Bonomi, A. G., Bouten, C. V. C., Bovet, P., Buchowski, M. S., Butte, N. F., Camps, S. G., Close, G. L., Cooper, J. A., Cooper, R., Das, S. K., Dugas, L. R., Ekelund, U., Entringer, S., Forrester, T., Fudge, B. W., Goris, A. H., Gurven, M., Hambly, C., El Hamdouchi, A., Hoos, M. B., Hu, S., Joonas, N., Joosen, A. M., Katzmarzyk, P., Kempen, K. P., Kimura, M., Kraus, W. E., Kushner, R. F., Lambert, E. V., Leonard, W. R., Lessan, N., Martin, C., Medin, A. C., Meijer, E. P., Morehen, J. C., Morton, J. P., Neuhouser, M. L., Nicklas, T. A., Ojiambo, R. M., Pietiläinen, K. H., Pitsiladis, Y. P., Plange-Rhule, J., Plasqui, G., Prentice, R. L., Rabinovich, R. A., Racette, S. B., Raichlen, D. A., Ravussin, E., Reynolds, R. M., Roberts, S. B., Schuit, A. J., Sjödin, A. M., Stice, E., Urlacher, S. S., Valenti, G., Van Etten, L. M., Van Mil, E. A., Wells, J. C. K., Wilson, G., Wood, B. M., Yanovski, J., Yoshida, T., Zhang, X., Murphy-Alford, A. J., Loechl, C., Luke, A. H., Rood, J., Schoeller, D. A., Westerterp, K. R., Wong, W. W., Speakman, J. R., & IAEA DLW Database Consortium§
Affiliations
  • Duke University (US)
  • National Institute of Health and Nutrition (JP)
  • University of Tsukuba (JP)
  • Liverpool John Moores University (GB)
  • University of Oslo (NO)
  • University of California, Los Angeles (US)
  • Unité Mixte de Recherche en Nutrition et Alimentation, CNESTEN–Université Ibn Tofail URAC39, Regional Designated Center of Nutrition Associated with AFRA/IAEA, Rabat, Morocco.
  • Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (GH)
  • Maastricht University (NL)
  • Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA.
  • Philips (Netherlands) (NL)
  • Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois (CH)
  • Vanderbilt University (US)
  • Baylor College of Medicine (US)
  • University of Wisconsin–Madison (US)
  • Loyola University Chicago (US)
  • Tufts University (US)
  • Norwegian School of Sport Sciences (NO)
  • University of California, Irvine (US)
  • University of the West Indies System (JM)
  • University of Glasgow (GB)
  • University of California, Santa Barbara (US)
  • University of Aberdeen (GB)
  • Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands.
  • Chinese Academy of Sciences (CN)
  • Central Health Laboratory, Ministry of Health and Wellness, Candos, Mauritius.
  • Pennington Biomedical Research Center (US)
  • Kyoto University of Advanced Science (JP)
  • Northwestern University (US)
  • University of Cape Town (ZA)
  • Imperial College London Diabetes Centre (AE)
  • The Football Association (GB)
  • University of Washington (US)
  • Moi University (KE)
  • Helsinki University Hospital (FI)
  • University of Brighton (GB)
  • Department of Physiology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.
  • The Queen's Medical Research Institute (GB)
  • Washington University in St. Louis (US)
  • University of Southern California (US)
  • Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Baton Rouge, LA, USA.
  • Tilburg University (NL)
  • University of Copenhagen (DK)
  • Stanford University (US)
  • Baylor University (US)
  • Maastricht University, Maastricht and Lifestyle Medicine Center for Children, Jeroen Bosch Hospital, Hertogenbosch, Netherlands.
  • University College London (GB)
  • National Institutes of Health (US)
  • Nutritional and Health Related Environmental Studies Section, Division of Human Health, International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, Austria.
  • International Atomic Energy Agency (AT)
  • Maastricht University Medical Centre (NL)
Corresponding author
  • Pontzer, Herman
  • Yamada, Yosuke
  • Sagayama, Hiroyuki
  • Luke, Amy H.
  • Rood, Jennifer
  • Schoeller, Dale A.
  • Westerterp, Klaas R.
  • Wong, William W.
  • Speakman, John R.
ORCID
Venue
Science
Publisher
American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
Published
2021-08-13
Volume
373
Issue
6556
Pages
808-812
ISSN
  • 0036-8075 (ISSN-L)
  • 1095-9203
DOI
10.1126/science.abe5017
PMC
PMC8370708
OpenAlex
W3183815414
Semantic Scholar
6889198aa40368bd8936c1be20646184274e797a
Cited by
583
References
54
Citations by year
2026: 100 · 2025: 127 · 2024: 112 · 2023: 106 · 2022: 116 · 2021: 20 · 2020: 1 · 2014: 1
FWCI
56.71
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
cc-by
Locations
  • Science (publishedVersion)
  • Research portal (Tilburg University) (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Research at the University of Copenhagen (University of Copenhagen) (publishedVersion, other-oa)
  • University of Birmingham Research Portal (University of Birmingham) (publishedVersion)
  • TU/e Research Portal (acceptedVersion, other-oa)
  • Liverpool John Moores University (acceptedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
  • Edinburgh Research Explorer (University of Edinburgh) (acceptedVersion, other-oa)
  • University of Brighton Repository (University of Brighton) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
  • Digital Commons-TMC (Texas Medical Center) (submittedVersion)
  • Civil War Book Review (submittedVersion)
  • Data Archiving and Networked Services (DANS) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
  • HAL (submittedVersion, other-oa)
  • Research Publications (Maastricht University) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
  • UCL Discovery (University College London) (submittedVersion)
  • eScholarship (California Digital Library) (submittedVersion)
  • IRIS (submittedVersion)
  • NORA - Norwegian Open Research Archives (submittedVersion, other-oa)
  • SERVAL (Université de Lausanne) (submittedVersion)
  • TU/e Research Portal (submittedVersion, other-oa)
Funders
National Science Foundation (BCS-1824466)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Body Composition Measurement Techniques
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Nutrition and Health Studies
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Endocrine and Autonomic Systems › Regulation of Appetite and Obesity
Keywords
daily energy expenditure, life course, fat-free mass, power-law scaling, neonates, pregnancy, aging, human development, doubly labeled water, energy demand
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Aging, Basal Metabolism, Body Composition, Body Weight, Child, Child, Preschool, Energy Metabolism, Female, Humans, Infant, Infant, Newborn, Male, Middle Aged, Pregnancy, Exercise, Young Adult

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