Energy expenditure, physical exertion and time allocation among Huli-speaking people in the Papua New Guinea Highlands

Objectives: The study aimed to (1) elucidate the energetic adaptations of H ull people by comparing the three sub-populations in relation to their dive rsified natural and socioeconomic environment, based on energy expenditure and time allocation data; and (2) assess the applicability of a new index o f physical exertion levels of activities (physical exertion index: PEI). Research design and methods: Married males and females (n = 43) were select ed, including 14 from a hilly village, 13 from a flat swampy village and 16 migrants to a town. Continuous heart rate (HR) monitoring, in conjunction with minute-by-minute observation of activities, was undertaken. Total ener gy expenditure was assessed by flex-HR method and physical activity level ( PAL) was calculated as multiples of basal metabolic rate. Observed activiti es were divided into 15 categories and the PEI was calculated for each: PEI = (mean HR of a categorized activity)/(flex HR) x 100. Results: No significant difference was found in PAL among the three sub-pop ulations: 1.77, 1.92 and 1.81 for men and 1.78, 1.98 and 1.66 for women in hilly and flat villages, and a town, respectively. The comparison of the tw o village groups revealed that hilly terrain did not affect substantially t he physical intensity of agricultural activities. On the other hand, the to wn migrants were engaged in sedentary paid jobs and these were less energy consuming than agricultural work. However, the different energy costs betwe en paid jobs and agricultural work were offset by longer work time in the t own group than in the two village groups (251 vs 50 or 70 min in males: 258 vs 152 or 138 min in females), resulting in similar PAL in the three group s. Conclusions: Despite contrasting natural and social environments, no signif icant difference was found in daily physical activity level among the three sub-populations (two villages and a town) of Huli-speaking people in Papua New Guinea Highlands.