Comparison of five equations for estimating resting energy expenditure in Chinese young, normal weight healthy adults

Abstract

BackgroundMost resting energy expenditure (REE) predictive equations for adults were derived from research conducted in western populations; whether they can also be used in Chinese young people is still unclear. Therefore, we conducted this study to determine the best REE predictive equation in Chinese normal weight young adults.MethodsForty-three (21 male, 22 female) healthy college students between the age of 18 and 25 years were recruited. REE was measured by the indirect calorimetry (IC) method. Harris-Benedict, World Health Organization (WHO), Owen, Mifflin and Liu’s equations were used to predictREE (REEe). REEe that was within 10% of measured REE (REEm) was defined as accurate. Student’s t test, Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Test, McNemar Test and the Bland-Altman method were used for data analysis.ResultsREEm was significantly lower (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01) than REEe from equations, except for Liu’s, Liu’s-s, Owen, Owen-s and Mifflin in men and Liu’s and Owen in women. REEe calculated by ideal body weight was significantly higher than REEe calculated by current body weight ( P < 0.01), the only exception being Harris-Benedict equation in men. Bland-Altman analysis showed that the Owen equation with current body weight generated the least bias. The biases of REEe from Owen with ideal body weight and Mifflin with both current and ideal weights were also lower.ConclusionsLiu’s, Owen, and Mifflin equations are appropriate for the prediction of REE in young Chinese adults. However, the use of ideal body weight did not increase the accuracy of REEe.

Estimation of basal metabolic rate in Chinese: are the current prediction equations applicable?

“…Furthermore, the results confirm that population specific prediction equations with respect to ethnicity and body type are necessary [12–16, 21–23]. …”

Measured Versus Predicted Resting Metabolic Rate in Obese Diabetic and Obese Non-Diabetic Subjects

“…Statistical analysis confirmed that the Mifflin equation is more suitable than the other equations for estimating RMR among obese diabetic patients. Similar findings were reported in many previous studies [8][9][10][11]30,31]. On the other hand, although differences between measured and predicted RMR in obese non-diabetic individuals is lowest for Mifflin equation, statistical analysis showed significant difference between the two methods.…”

“…These equations are simple, easy to use, and universally available. However, in spite of their extensive use, they have been found to be inaccurate in a variety of clinical settings [8,9]. While the Harris-Benedict equation had been used for estimating the basal metabolic rate, previous studies have found that it estimates RMR rather than basal metabolic rate, due to the test subjects not spending the night at the test facility [10].…”

“…While the Harris-Benedict equation had been used for estimating the basal metabolic rate, previous studies have found that it estimates RMR rather than basal metabolic rate, due to the test subjects not spending the night at the test facility [10]. The Mifflin equation, tested in different settings worldwide, has been shown to produce more accurate estimations for RMR than other predictive equations [8][9][10][11]. It has been recommended as the standard equation for calculating RMR in healthy obese and non-obese adults [10].…”

Which equation should be used to measure energy expenditure in HIV-infected patients?

“…Many literature reports have compared predictive equations for specific populations to IC in order to determine the best equation for a given group [5][6][7] . Lopes et al 5 compared the Food and Agriculture Organization/World Health Organization/United Nations University, Harris and Benedict, Henry and Rees and Schofield equations in 30 subjects of both sexes with grade one obesity residing in the city of Porto Alegre (RS).…”