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Little kids burn so much energy, they’re like a different species, study finds

sciencemag.org

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Re: Little kids burn so much energy, they’re like a different species, study finds

#31

Post by pgayed »

carrolldunham wrote: post #9

Seems pretty dumb to talk about them having fast metabolisms and brains all this other forest-for-the-trees. They are going to double their body mass over a year. See how much energy you need if you try that

This is approximately correct and should not be downvoted because it was written by an asshole‡.

The disproportionate energy expenditure in children is almost certainly explained by cell division and growth.

They are literally fashioning body mass from consumed food.

-------

‡ We would do well not to ignore assholes if they are stating something of consequence.

Re: Little kids burn so much energy, they’re like a different species, study finds

#32

Post by redis_mlc »

hprotagonist wrote: post #6

> But children also burn out fast. This is well known in emergency medicine. Not only do kids burn out quick, they also burn out completely because they, unlike adults, don't keep a reserve. This applies to homeostasis, too. Consequently: young trauma victims that "look OK" need to be very closely attended to, because what you might be seeing is a kid burning the very last of their energy reserves just to maintain ho…

Thanks for posting that information.

Another thing to keep in mind with infants/very young children is that if they get diarrhea, they can lose 30% of their weight (mostly water) in 2-3 days and die without hospitalization. So that means waiting a reasonable time for improvement at home can actually kill them. (I don't know how that kind of illness affects their future development.)

Re: Little kids burn so much energy, they’re like a different species, study finds

#34

Post by NoPicklez »

tw04 wrote: post #11
Supersam654 wrote: post #8

Personally, I was more surprised by the various groups of people who _don't_ have higher metabolic rates: > Children’s metabolic rates stay high until age 5, but the rate slowly begins to glide down until it plateaus around age 20. Interestingly, adult rates are stable until age 60, when they begin to decline. After age 90, humans use about 26% less energy daily, Pontzer says. > The study also found that pregnant wom…

This seems almost unbelievable to me. Almost everyone I know, with a handful of exceptions I can think of, had a dramatic change in what I can only say was metabolism at 30 declining steeply to 40. I can tell you personally my ability to lose weight when exercising daily has decreased significantly since 30. If it’s not metabolism, then what? Diet and exercise are almost identical.

I think I could have this conversation with people of many ages. For me my mid 20's was when I started to notice more weight gain. I've put it down to now working an office job where I am sitting most of the day, as opposed to standing up and walking around in retail. My job is also more stressful which has led me to be less active after work as I just want to "relax" when I get home.

I have no doubt this also means I eat slightly worse food or larger portion sizes. Luckily I've noticed it and started to make lifestyle changes to prevent it further.

Re: Little kids burn so much energy, they’re like a different species, study finds

#35

Post by hoppyhoppy2 »

guerrilla wrote: post #29
kiba wrote: post #24

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That might be the effect of long term imbalance of hormones. Weight gain is long term, and a bad diet and/or feeding period take a long time to do their damage. Think one pound a year. Anyway, I disclaim any particular medical or nutritional expertise.

> Anyway, I disclaim any particular medical or nutritional expertise. Has anyone actually ever been sued on a forum for bad medical advice? That seems impossible when there are literal quack colleges in the US.

Disclaiming expertise doesn't have to arise out of fear of lawsuits. It could just be letting people know as a friendly gesture that you're not an expert and that your comment may reflect a layperson's best understanding rather than specialized education in the field.

Re: Little kids burn so much energy, they’re like a different species, study finds

#36

Post by crummy »

pgayed wrote: post #31
carrolldunham wrote: post #9

Seems pretty dumb to talk about them having fast metabolisms and brains all this other forest-for-the-trees. They are going to double their body mass over a year. See how much energy you need if you try that

This is approximately correct and should not be downvoted because it was written by an asshole‡. The disproportionate energy expenditure in children is almost certainly explained by cell division and growth . They are literally fashioning body mass from consumed food. ------- ‡ We would do well not to ignore assholes if they are stating something of consequence.

But newborns grow faster than infants and the increased energy expenditure was not seen in them.

Re: Little kids burn so much energy, they’re like a different species, study finds

#37

Post by seer »

tw04 wrote: post #11
Supersam654 wrote: post #8

Personally, I was more surprised by the various groups of people who _don't_ have higher metabolic rates: > Children’s metabolic rates stay high until age 5, but the rate slowly begins to glide down until it plateaus around age 20. Interestingly, adult rates are stable until age 60, when they begin to decline. After age 90, humans use about 26% less energy daily, Pontzer says. > The study also found that pregnant wom…

This seems almost unbelievable to me. Almost everyone I know, with a handful of exceptions I can think of, had a dramatic change in what I can only say was metabolism at 30 declining steeply to 40. I can tell you personally my ability to lose weight when exercising daily has decreased significantly since 30. If it’s not metabolism, then what? Diet and exercise are almost identical.

I also noticed the same in many people, as well as myself. And I do not think the other commenters are correct in their explanations.

At least in myself, I can clearly see that in my 20s I had a much more sedentary lifestyle, sitting in front of a computer a heck of a lot more, having less social life and eating _much_ worse (processes food, sweets, coke) and still being able to maintain a normal BMI.

If its not metabolism it must be some other mechanisms that allows people to do it, but metabolism seems the simplest one.

Re: Little kids burn so much energy, they’re like a different species, study finds

#38

Post by jjtheblunt »

tw04 wrote: post #11
Supersam654 wrote: post #8

Personally, I was more surprised by the various groups of people who _don't_ have higher metabolic rates: > Children’s metabolic rates stay high until age 5, but the rate slowly begins to glide down until it plateaus around age 20. Interestingly, adult rates are stable until age 60, when they begin to decline. After age 90, humans use about 26% less energy daily, Pontzer says. > The study also found that pregnant wom…

This seems almost unbelievable to me. Almost everyone I know, with a handful of exceptions I can think of, had a dramatic change in what I can only say was metabolism at 30 declining steeply to 40. I can tell you personally my ability to lose weight when exercising daily has decreased significantly since 30. If it’s not metabolism, then what? Diet and exercise are almost identical.

hormone changes? so how energy is spent building cells changes?

Re: Little kids burn so much energy, they’re like a different species, study finds

#39

Post by jjtheblunt »

rubyist5eva wrote: post #20

My 22 month old son wakes up at 5am, and doesn't stop running, climbing, singing and dancing, any possible "activity" you can think of until 7pm when we have to wrangle him for about an hour during "quiet time" until he eventually decides it's time him to sleep. The description "different species" seems apt because I really don't see how it's possible for such a tiny "human" to just have so much energy. All in jest o…

seems invariant across many mammals for toddlers at least: in dogs "the zoomies" for example fits the same description, cats too, unsure what else is comparable

Re: Little kids burn so much energy, they’re like a different species, study finds

#40

Post by _carbyau_ »

mensetmanusman wrote: post #10

I’m always amazed when I see my two-year-old eat breakfast. Having two eggs and toast etc. per his weight would be like eating like Michael Phelps!

I have a three year old. Sometimes it is amazing what they can put away. But then other meal times they just don't eat a thing.
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