Daily metabolic expenditures: estimates from US, UK and polish time-use data

Area of Science:

• Physiology
• Public Health
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• Daily behavior significantly impacts economic, social, and health outcomes.
• Linking time spent in activities to energy expenditure (EE) is crucial for understanding health consequences and identifying public health interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To estimate behavior-related EE using time use survey (TUS) data from the UK, Poland, and the US.
• To analyze the main sources of daily EE and assess adherence to physical activity guidelines (PAG).

Main Methods:

• Utilized Harmonised Multinational Time Use Survey (MTUS) activity categories matched with MET estimates.
• Calculated Physical Activity Level (PAL) using TUS data on activity durations.
• Applied harmonized MTUS classification to reduce variability in Physical Activity Energy Expenditure (PAEE) measures.

Main Results:

• PAL values varied across countries (US: 1.59, Poland: 1.74).
• Paid and unpaid work were the largest contributors to daily EE from physical activity (PA).
• Discretionary PA constituted a minimal portion (~3%) of adult daily EE; harmonized classification reduced PAEE variability by ~20%.

Conclusions:

• Harmonized TUS data enable comparative studies on EE across different populations and activities.
• Further research combining TUS with objective measures (accelerometers, direct observation) is needed for precise MET assignments and enhanced accuracy.