Wells J C K, Davies Peter S W
Infant and Child Nutrition Group, Dunn Nutrition Unit, Cambridge, CB4 1XJ, UK.
Department of Biological Anthropology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3DZ, UK.
Am J Hum Biol. 1996;8(4):465-472. doi: 10.1002/(SICI)1520-6300(1996)8:4<465::AID-AJHB6>3.0.CO;2-X.
In order to apply current international recommendations of basing energy requirements on energy expenditures (FAO/WHO/UNU [1985] Energy and Protein Requirements WHO: Geneva) to infants, it is first necessary to ascertain which aspects of infant physical activity significantly influence energy expenditure. The relationship between behavioral activity and energy expenditure was, therefore, investigated in 12 week infants. Behavior was assessed using activity diaries, temperament questionnaires, and actometers. Total energy expenditure and the energy cost of physical activity were estimated using the doubly labelled water method and indirect calorimetry. Certain aspects of behavior correlated significantly with the energy cost of physical activity. Behavior thus exerts a significant effect on energy expenditure in 12 week infants. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
