BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVESAthletes generally desire changes in body composition in order to enhance their athletic performance. Often, athletes will practice chronic energy restrictions to attain body composition changes, altering their energy needs. Prediction of resting metabolic rates (RMR) is important in helping to determine an athlete's energy expenditure. This study compared measured RMR of athletic and non-athletic adolescents with predicted RMR from commonly used prediction equations to identify the most accurate equation applicable for adolescent athletes.SUBJECTS/METHODSA total of 50 athletes (mean age of 16.6 ± 1.0 years, 30 males and 20 females) and 50 non-athletes (mean age of 16.5 ± 0.5 years, 30 males and 20 females) were enrolled in the study. The RMR of subjects was measured using indirect calorimetry. The accuracy of 11 RMR prediction equations was evaluated for bias, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and Bland-Altman analysis.RESULTSUntil more accurate prediction equations are developed, our findings recommend using the formulas by Cunningham (-29.8 kcal/day, limits of agreement -318.7 and +259.1 kcal/day) and Park (-0.842 kcal/day, limits of agreement -198.9 and +196.9 kcal/day) for prediction of RMR when studying male adolescent athletes. Among the new prediction formulas reviewed, the formula included in the fat-free mass as a variable [RMR = 730.4 + 15 × fat-free mass] is paramount when examining athletes.CONCLUSIONSThe RMR prediction equation developed in this study is better in assessing the resting metabolic rate of Korean athletic adolescents.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVESThe doubly labeled water (DLW) method is considered the gold standard for the measurement of total energy expenditure (TEE), which serves to estimate energy requirements. This study evaluated the accuracy of predictive dietary reference intake (DRI) equations for determining the estimated energy requirements (EER) of Korean adults by using the DLW as a reference method. SUBJECTS/METHODS Seventy-one participants (35 men and 36 women) aged between 20 and 49 years were included in the study. The subjects' EER, calculated by using the DRI equation (EERDRI), was compared with their TEE measured by the DLW method (TEEDLW).RESULTSThe DRI equations for EER underestimated TEE by -36.3 kcal/day (-1.3%) in men and -104.5 kcal/day (-4.9%) in women. The percentages of accurate predictions among subjects were 77.1% in men and 62.9% in women. There was a strong linear correlation between EERDRI and TEEDLW (r=0.783, P<0.001 in men and r=0.810, P<0.001 in women).CONCLUSIONS The present study supports the use of DRI prediction equations to determine EER in Korean adults. More studies are needed to confirm our results and to assess the validity of these equations in other population groups, including children, adolescents, and older adults.