Dissertation Research: Basal Metabolic Rate of Mongolian Pastoral Nomads

这项研究旨在验证这样一种假设，即世界卫生组织(WHO)开发的供世界各地使用的方程可以准确地预测蒙古游牧民族的基础代谢率。基础代谢率是维持生命所需的最低能量，是人类总能量需求的主要比例。根据世界卫生组织的说法，无论人口生活在什么气候条件下，无论温度压力的季节变化如何，预测方程都适用。然而，有相当多的证据表明，土著种群的基本代谢率与温度成反比。蒙古为检验这场正在进行的科学辩论提供了一个天然的实验室。这项研究将测量18岁及以上生活在寒冷、高纬度气候和季节性极端寒冷应激下的男性和女性蒙古族牧民的基础代谢率、饮食和寒冷暴露。这将增加对影响人类群体基础代谢率因素的了解，并增加正在进行的科学讨论，即基础代谢率是人类的普遍特征，仅受年龄、性别和体重的影响，还是它是否适应环境因素，如冷应激。

This study is designed to test the hypothesis that the basal metabolic rate of Mongolian pastoral nomads is accurately predicted by the equations developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) for use throughout the world. The basal metabolic rate is the minimum energy required to maintain life, and is a major proportion of total human energy needs. According to the WHO, the prediction equations are applicable regardless of the climate in which the population lives and regardless of seasonal variation in temperature stress. However, there is considerable evidence that the basal metabolic rate of indigenous populations varies inversely with temperature. Mongolia provides a natural laboratory for testing this ongoing scientific debate. This study will measure basal metabolic rate, diet, and cold exposure in male and female Mongolian pastoral nomads 18 years of age and older who live in a cold, high latitude climate with seasonally extreme cold stress. It will add to the knowledge of factors influencing basal metabolic rate in human populations and to the ongoing scientific discussion as to whether basal metabolic rate is a universal trait in humans influenced only by age, sex, and body weight, or whether it adapts to environmental factors such as cold stress.