Energetics and population ecology of Siberian herders

Abstract

Methodological advances now permit human biologists to more effectively monitor energy dynamics in traditional societies. This study examines the nutritional ecology and energetics of semisubsistence herders of Siberia (Evenki) during a single season of their annual cycle (late summer). Total energy expenditure (TEE) among adults, as measured by daily heart‐rate monitoring, is greater in Evenki men (TEE = 11.9 ± 2.8 MJ/d in men and 8.8 ± 2.1 MJ/d in women; P < 0.001), a pattern that reflects the current division of labor under collectivized herding systems. Energy intakes are also greater among men (13.4 ± 5.6 vs. 8.5 ± 3.4 MJ/d; P < 0.01), and are, on average, sufficient to meet daily needs in both sexes. The Evenki appear to be in energy balance at the population level during the late summer (per capita energy intake = 9.0 ± 5.5 MJ/person/d; per capita requirements = 8.6 MJ/person/d); however, only small changes in food availability and/or energy expenditure are necessary to shift the population into negative balance during the winter. Primary sources of dietary energy include reindeer meat and other animal products (25–30%), foraged plant foods (10–15%), and nonlocal products (55–65%), such as flour, rice, and sugar. The anthropometric data indicate that the Evenki grow slowly and have small adult body size. Women are relatively heavier and fatter than men, and show a centripetal pattern of fat distribution. Evenki males appear to be undergoing a secular trend in stature, while no such increases are evident in females. These gender differences may reflect the differential impact to the changes associated with collectivization. Reduced metabolic requirements (due to declining activity and fertility levels), along with greater food availability, are likely to be responsible for the higher rates of obesity among Evenki women. © 1996 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.

Body composition in Central Asia populations: Fat patterning variation in the Kazakhs of the Tien Shan mountains and the Uighurs of Semericia

“…Several studies have investigated fat patterning variation in Asian herders (Beall and Goldstein, 1992;Leonard et al, 1996) or in mountain populations (Hannon et al, 1969;Frisancho and Baker, 1970;Bharadway, 1972;Bhardway et al, 1973Bhardway et al, , 1984Beall et al, 1977;Miklashevskaya et al, 1977Miklashevskaya et al, , 1979Khalid, 1995;Obert et al, 1994). The results are not fully comparable with the present data, because of the higher altitude of the populations examined and a lack of a detailed analysis of adiposity.…”

Metabolic Adaptation in Indigenous Siberian Populations

“…The Evenki population numbered approximately 30,000 at the last major census (Fondahl 1997). Additional information on the study population, as well as on the Evenki in general, can be found in Leonard et al (1994Leonard et al ( , 1996Leonard et al ( , 2002a) and references therein.…”