BACKGROUND: There are limited and controversial data on the in¯uence of gender on metabolic rate in prepubertal children. OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of gender on resting energy expenditure (REE), activity-related energy expenditure (AEE), total energy expenditure (TEE) and physical activity level (PAL) in free-living prepubertal children. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SUBJECTS: 40 prepubertal children (24 boys, 16 girls, 4 ± 11 y old (mean age: 7.0 AE 1.2 y), BMI 13.1 ± 32.0 kgam 2 ). MEASUREMENTS: Energy expenditure was measured by the combination of indirect calorimetry and individually calibrated 24 h heart rate monitoring. Body composition was assessed by anthropometrics and bioelectrical impedance analysis. Socio-cultural and socio-economic factors, as well as activities of daily living, were estimated by questionnaire for the parents. Boys and girls were matched for fat-free mass (FFM, boys: 25.9 AE 8.5 kg; and girls: 24.4 AE 4.5 kg, n.s.) and fat mass (FM, boys: 11.6 AE 5.9 kg; and girls: 10.8 AE 3.3 kg, n.s.). RESULTS: We found no sex difference in REE, AEE and TEE. PAL was 1.4 AE 0.3 for boys and 1.2 AE 0.4 for girls. REE and TEE were signi®cantly related to FFM (r 0.62, r 0.81, r 0.60). FFM was found to be the most signi®cant determinant of REE (r 2 0.70). REE accounted for the largest part of the variance in TEE (r 2 0.46). Gender had no signi®cant effect. CONCLUSIONS: There is no effect of gender on energy expenditure in prepubertal children.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.