Energy expenditure in adults living in developing compared with industrialized countries: a meta-analysis of doubly labeled water studies

Abstract

TEE adjusted for weight and age or PAL did not differ significantly between developing and industrialized countries, which calls into question the role of energy expenditure in the cause of obesity at the population level.

Misrepresentation of Health Research in Exertion Games Literature

“…However, there is strong evidence from longitudinal studies that the causal relationship may be the inverse to that generally assumed, that, in fact, inactivity is a symptom of obesity rather than a cause [19,42]. There is also evidence from comparative studies of different countries that overall activity levels do not significantly vary between developed and less developed countries, despite large variations in mean BMI between countries [17], suggesting that levels of physical activity are unlikely to be the main cause of obesity. Studies where physical activity has been objectively measured have also failed to show any prospective effects of physical activity on obesity [67].…”

The Role of Energy Flux in Weight Management

“…Using doubly labelled water it has been shown that total daily energy expenditure (TDEE) does not differ between populations pursuing a traditional lifestyle, characterized by high physical activity and those living a typical western lifestyle, characterized by predominantly sedentary habits [25,26] (Figure 2). There was also no difference in TDEE between populations living in low, middle or highly, developed countries [27], indicating a similar energy flux. A sedentary lifestyle, generally observed in industrialized countries, however, was associated with significantly higher body weight [25][26][27].…”

“…There was also no difference in TDEE between populations living in low, middle or highly, developed countries [27], indicating a similar energy flux. A sedentary lifestyle, generally observed in industrialized countries, however, was associated with significantly higher body weight [25][26][27].…”

Losing the War Against Obesity: The Need for a Developmental Perspective

“…Although it has been argued that the energy expended in daily living has fallen substantially in almost all societies since the industrial revolution, actual measurements of energy expenditure in several populations do not consistently support an across-theboard reduction of energy in recent history (9). ese ndings call into question the relative contribution of reduced energy expenditure to the accumulation of body fat (10).…”