Basal Metabolism of the Eskimo

Abstract

Three hundred and forty basal metabolism tests have been made on 73 healthy Eskimos from 4 different locations in Alaska, together with environmental observations, body surface area measurements, and determination of protein intake and nitrogen elimination. In agreement with previous workers, the basal metabolism of Eskimos examined for the first time in their native habitat was significantly higher than in the Whites. Approximately 9% of this higher basal metabolism may be accounted for by apprehension, and the high protein Eskimo diet accounts for approximately 15%. When these two factors were eliminated, the metabolism was almost exactly the same as in the White controls. From these studies it is therefore concluded that there are no racial differences between the Eskimos and the Whites in basal heat production.