Effects of dietary supplementation on work performance in Gambian laborers

Diaz, Erik; Goldberg, Gail R.; Taylor, Moira; Savage, Judith M.; Sellen, Daniel; Coward, William A.; Prentice, Andrew M.

Abstract

The effect of food supplementation on productivity of Gambian subsistence farmers was studied during a natural food shortage induced by the annual hungry season. Sixteen men in two groups matched for weight, height, hemoglobin, and physical-work capacity followed a crossover protocol with 6-wk supplementation and control periods. Productivity was assessed over the final 3 wk of each period by quantifying piece-rate-paid road building. Supplementation comprised an ad libitum supply of highly palatable energy-dense food provided three times daily. Outcome variables were total loads transported, loads per working hour, time per load, total energy expenditure assessed by doubly labeled water and heart-rate monitoring, postwork activity, and anthropometry. Body weight decreased during control periods, indicating a real energy deficit, and increased during supplementation in both groups. Supplementation had no significant impact on productivity variables. Energy-deficient men can maintain maximal productivity over short periods if sufficiently motivated but at the expense of body weight.

Citation

Diaz, E., Goldberg, G. R., Taylor, M., Savage, J. M., Sellen, D., Coward, W. A., & Prentice, A. M. (1991). Effects of dietary supplementation on work performance in Gambian laborers. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 53(4), 803-811. https://doi.org/10.1093/ajcn/53.4.803

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jun 27, 1990
• Online Publication Date: Apr 1, 1991
• Publication Date: 1991-04
• Deposit Date: Dec 4, 2023
• Journal: American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
• Print ISSN: 0002-9165
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 53
• Issue: 4
• Pages: 803-811
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/ajcn/53.4.803
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/27874150
• Publisher URL: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0002916523171942