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Productivity loss associated with functional disability in a contemporary small-scale subsistence population.
- Source :
-
ELife [Elife] 2020 Dec 01; Vol. 9. Date of Electronic Publication: 2020 Dec 01. - Publication Year :
- 2020
-
Abstract
- In comparative cross-species perspective, humans experience unique physical impairments with potentially large consequences. Quantifying the burden of impairment in subsistence populations is critical for understanding selection pressures underlying strategies that minimize risk of production deficits. We examine among forager-horticulturalists whether compromised bone strength (indicated by fracture and lower bone mineral density, BMD) is associated with subsistence task cessation. We also estimate the magnitude of productivity losses associated with compromised bone strength. Fracture is associated with cessation of hunting, tree chopping, and walking long distances, but not tool manufacture. Age-specific productivity losses from hunting cessation associated with fracture and lower BMD are substantial: ~397 lost kcals/day, with expected future losses of up to 1.9 million kcals (22% of expected production). Productivity loss is thus substantial for high strength and endurance tasks. Determining the extent to which impairment obstructs productivity in contemporary subsistence populations improves our ability to infer past consequences of impairment.<br />Competing Interests: JS, PH, BT, HK, MG No competing interests declared<br /> (© 2020, Stieglitz et al.)
- Subjects :
- Activities of Daily Living
Adult
Age Factors
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Bolivia
Bone Density
Diet, Paleolithic
Female
Fractures, Bone epidemiology
Fractures, Bone etiology
Humans
Indigenous Peoples statistics & numerical data
Male
Middle Aged
Sex Factors
Spinal Injuries epidemiology
Spinal Injuries etiology
Disabled Persons statistics & numerical data
Efficiency physiology
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 2050-084X
- Volume :
- 9
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- ELife
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 33259289
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.62883