The Impact of the Metabolic Syndrome and Its Components on Resting Energy Expenditure

Abstract

We determined whether metabolic syndrome (MetS) and the increasing number of its components influenced the resting energy expenditure (REE). Data on adult men (n = 72, 40%) and women (n = 108, 60%) from European (n = 154, 86%) and Sub-Saharan African (n = 26, 14%) ancestry were used. Ninety-five (53%) participants had MetS (MetS+), while 85 (47%) were without MetS (MetS−). REE was determined through indirect calorimetry, body composition by DEXA, and clinical biochemistry by standard laboratory techniques. MetS+ had a significantly higher REE (mean ± se: MetS+: 5995 ± 87.3 vs. MetS−: 5760 ± 86.3 kJ/d, p = 0.025) when adjusted for age, gender, fat mass (FM), fat-free mass (FFM), ethnicity, season, 25OHD, insulin sensitivity, and time of data collection. Within each MetS status group, an increase in the number of components (C) resulted in a stepwise increase in REE. Relative to zero components, those with 1C had adjusted REE higher by +526 ± 248.1 kJ/d (p = 0.037), while 2C were higher than 1C by +298 ± 140.8 kJ/d (p = 0.037). Similarly, relative to 3C, those with 4C had REE higher by +242 ± 120.7 kJ/d (p = 0.049). The higher REE of 5C over 4C by 132 ± 174.5 kJ/d did not achieve statistical significance. MetS was associated with a significantly higher REE. This greater energetic cost varied directly with the numbers of its components but was most evident in those not diagnosed with the syndrome.

Resting energy expenditure, body composition, and metabolic alterations in breast cancer survivors vs. healthy controls: A cross-sectional study

“…Further deterioration of FM can occur as BCs experience menopausal symptoms naturally persisting throughout survivorship, or prolonged by cancer-directed endocrine therapies (32). Higher FM is related to the development of metabolic dysfunctions which seem to elevate mREE in a stepwise manner according to the number of dysfunctions, as recently studied by Soares et al(2022) (22,(33)(34)(35)(36)(37). Our results show significantly higher BW and FM in Dysf BCs compared to the Funct BCs.…”

“…However, an altered metabolic state (hyper-or hypometabolism) did add significantly to the prediction of absolute and relative mREE when controlled for FFM and FM. An altered metabolic state results in higher (hypermetabolism) or lower (hypometabolism) energy expenditure due to metabolic-and hemodynamic aberrations, and related changes in body composition (36). In the absence of significant differences in FM and FFM, it can be suggested that the etiology of the altered metabolic state in our study can be found in (sub)clinical metabolic alterations (18).…”

“…After adjusting to FFM however, relative mREE no longer determined increased energy requirements. The precise energetic cost of the individual metabolic dysfunctions leading to altered mREE remains unknown, which can explain for the variability in absolute mREE between Dysf and Funct BCs (36). From our study, we cannot determine the relationship between FM and metabolic dysfunctions, and an increase in absolute or relative mREE.…”

Effect of Exercise on the Resting Metabolic Rate and Substrate Utilization in Women with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: Results of a Pilot Study

“…This finding is in lieu with a recent systematic review [ 45 ], recommending that women with GDM should exercise for at a least moderate intensity, twice weekly of more frequently, for approximately 20–50 min in order to benefit from the performed PA. During pregnancy, REE is greatly dependent on body mass, body composition, and other anthropometric indices, including abdominal circumference and fetal-specific characteristics [ 46 , 47 ]. Since fat-free mass is metabolically active [ 48 ], greater fat-free mass is associated with higher REE throughout the life cycle, including during pregnancy [ 49 , 50 , 51 ]. With the observed variations in RMR during gestation being greatly associated to the changes in body composition [ 49 , 50 ], it becomes clear that any level of exercise inducing changes in the body composition may, in fact, alter RMR.…”

TG/HDL Ratio Is an Independent Predictor for Estimating Resting Energy Expenditure in Adults with Normal Weight, Overweight, and Obesity

“…More recently, a positive association between insulin resistance and REE has been shown in normal and overweight healthy adults after adjustment for age and sex [ 7 ]. As insulin resistance is an early pathological indicator for the development of T2D, the higher REE observed in persons with T2D [ 3 , 8 ] and the metabolic syndrome [ 9 ] may be a function of their insulin resistance.…”