Accuracy of Resting Energy Expenditure Calculations in Unselected Overweight and Obese Patients

Abstract

Aims: Measurements of resting energy expenditure (REE) were compared with the data of 14 equations to determine their accuracy. Methods: REE measurements by indirect calorimetry in 1,032 unselected overweight and obese men (n = 306) and women (n = 726) were compared with calculations by 14 different formulas. Results: The mean (± SD) values calculated with the Owen, Robertson and Reid and WHO-I equations were not significantly different from our measurement of 1,682 ± 441.9 kcal/24 h. The values obtained with the Livingston, Mifflin, Müller and Bernstein equations were significantly different but still within a range of ±100 kcal/24 h. For females, the best comparison was observed with the Müller equation which, however, differed substantially in males. For men, the Cunningham equation was best, but it gave the worst comparison in women. A good individual match was only obtained with the equation of Robertson and Reid in 34% of the men and with the Owen equation in 38% of the women. All other formulas were less accurate. Drug treatment for 55% of the subjects had no effect on the mismatch between calculated and measured data. Conclusion: Calculations of REE with most equations seem to be valid in a group analysis but they are not helpful for the estimation of an obese patient's individual energy expenditure.

Low validity of predictive equations for calculating resting energy expenditure in overweight and obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome

“…The low individual accuracy and agreement of pREE observed in the present study have also been observed among the general obese population (6)(7)(8) . Frankenfield et al (6) showed that the prediction rate was lower and individual variation errors were higher in pREE of overweight and obese adults than in individuals with normal weight.…”

“…The low individual accuracy and agreement of pREE observed in the present study have also been observed among the general obese population . Frankenfield et al .…”

“…Indeed, previous studies have shown that the use of predictive formulas developed specifically for obese individuals in different populations and context of diseases did not increase the predictive value of REE . By contrast, in a subgroup analysed using the variables sex, age and BMI, such formulations showed better results . For most equations, overweight and obese individuals were included, although their relative contribution to the final equation often remained unclear .…”

“…The 10 predictive equations for REE (pREE) used in the present study were obtained by screening previous publications for frequency of use and clinical relevance of the equations (6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)21,22) . All equations evaluated were based on anthropometric parameters and are summarised in Table 1.…”

Comparison between resting metabolic rate and indirect calorimetry in postmenopausal women

“…The authors stated that the differences between the predicted and the measured RMR depended on the absolute values of the RMR measured and that predictive equations are specific for the population from which they were derived. This hypothesis is reinforced by Schusdziarra et al [37], who argued that different equations provide accurate estimates in older and obese individuals. These authors added that although the equations are valid for group analysis, prediction is generally invalid for individual evaluations.…”