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An evolutionary perspective on human physical activity: implications for health.

S Boyd Eaton1, Stanley B Eaton

  • 1Department of Anthropology, Emory University, 2887 Howell Mill Road NW, Atlanta, GA 30327-1333, USA. sboydeaton@mindspring.com

Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology. Part A, Molecular & Integrative Physiology
|October 7, 2003
PubMed
Summary

Modern sedentary lifestyles clash with our evolved human genome. Reconstructing ancestral physical activity suggests the World Health Organization

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Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary Biology and Public Health

Background:

  • Human physiology and biochemistry are adapted to high levels of daily physical exertion, a condition prevalent during genetic selection.
  • Modern industrialized societies promote sedentary lifestyles, creating a mismatch between our genome's requirements and current activity levels.
  • This incongruence contributes to numerous health issues, including obesity, atherosclerosis, diabetes, and age-related fractures.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide an independent estimate of desirable physical activity levels by examining ancestral activity patterns.
  • To offer a scientific basis for physical activity recommendations, complementing existing epidemiological data.
  • To address the confusion and variation in current public health guidelines regarding exercise volume.

Main Methods:

  • Reconstruction of Paleolithic physical activity levels based on available scientific evidence.

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  • Comparison of retrojected ancestral activity levels with current public health recommendations for physical activity.
  • Utilizing evolutionary biology principles to triangulate optimal health promotion strategies.

    • Main Results:

    • The best available reconstruction of ancestral physical activity suggests a specific caloric expenditure requirement.
    • The World Health Organization's (WHO) recommended physical activity level of 1.75 (approximately 2.1 MJ or 490 kcal/day) closely aligns with the estimated Paleolithic standard.
    • This finding provides a scientific benchmark for optimal daily energy expenditure through physical activity.

    Conclusions:

    • The Paleolithic standard of physical activity, for which the human genome was selected, offers valuable insights into modern health.
    • Current WHO recommendations for physical activity appear to approximate the necessary level for optimal human functioning.
    • Aligning modern lifestyles with evolutionary-suited activity levels is crucial for mitigating chronic diseases and promoting public health.