Future research should be prompted to optimize the procedure of indirect calorimetry to achieve clinical benefits in obese subjects.

In patients with obesity, it is important to know the exact metabolic function in order to assess balanced nutritional support, reducing the risks of the initial situation. For an adequate detection of the resting metabolic rate (RMR), commonly indirect calorimeters are used. In the present study, two different indirect calorimeters [an expiratory collection open-circuit system (Fitmate) and a ventilated open-circuit system (Quark RMR)], were correlated and analysed for better adequacy. The predictive equation of Harris-Benedict (HBE) was confronted with the measured RMR of the better evaluated indirect calorimeter. 42 obese women (age 55 ± 12 years and BMI 42.9 ± 6.8 kg/m2) were included in the study after selecting patients according to the predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Measurement durations of each 15 min were performed after an overnight fast with both calorimeters. Received values of Fitmate and Quark were compared while the calorimeter with the more reliable values was compared with the HBE. Significant correlations (P<0.001) between the devices were achieved, although a significant difference of 1,051 kJ/day (14.9%) between Fitmate (7,542 ± 1,230 kJ/day) and Quark RMR (6,491 ± 806 kJ/day) was detected. The mean calculated RMR of the HBE (7,181 ± 716 kJ/day), in comparison with Quark RMR was significantly different (P<0.001). The correlation of the two indirect calorimeters, their different functioning, led to significant differences between devices and RMR measurements. The HBE was found to overestimate the measured RMR of Quark RMR. Though the HBE was developed on lean subject, it cannot be considered as a reliable equation for obese subjects. © 2011 Springer-Verlag

The aim of this intervention trial was to evaluate the impact of consumption of two different types of strawberry jam on glycaemic status in 16 non-complicated and 7 type 2 diabetic volunteers, having a body mass index higher than 30 kg/m 2 (obesity status) and selected according to the specific criteria. Volunteers consumed a test meal consisting of 30 g of white bread, 50 g of an experimental jam (sweetened with organic apple juice) and 150 ml of whole cow milk; a control jam (sweetened with white beet sugar) was provided within the same test meal with a week gap. For the determination of glucose and insulin levels, venous blood samples were collected after overnight fasting and every 30 min for 3 h after the ingestion of the test meal. Both groups of volunteers had a significantly lower (P \ 0.05) increase of glucose and insulin levels at 30 and 60 min after the consumption of the experimental jam with respect to the control one, highlighting the importance of the type of carbohydrates in controlling glycaemic status: indeed, this type of jam, containing mainly fructose, was successful not only for diabetics but also for subjects at risk of developing this pathology, with a severe obesity condition. The consumption of this kind of product could be a strategy to enhance the quality of life in type 2 diabetic people, helping them to follow a dietary regimen including highly accepted food.

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