Adherence to a Low Carbohydrate Diet may Modify Resting Metabolic Rate among Overweight and Obese Women

Abstract

Objective Resting metabolic rate (RMR) accounts for most of the daily energy expenditure. The low-carb diet attenuates decreases in RMR. This study aims to investigate the relationship between a low-carb diet and resting metabolic rate status. Methods We enrolled 304 overweight and obese women in this cross-sectional study. BMI, fat mass, fat-free mass, visceral fat, insulin level were assessed. RMR was measured using indirect calorimetry. A low carbohydrate diet score was measured using a validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Results Our results showed no relationship between LCDS and DNR even after adjust for confounders (Inc. RMR: OR: 0.97; 95% CI: 0.92–1.01, P = 0.20; Dec. RMR: OR: 0.97; 95% CI: 0.94-1.00, P = 0.14). Some components of LCDS had significant differences with DNR, such as carbohydrate and Dec. RMR in adjusted model (OR: 1.62; 95% CI: 0.98–1.37, P = 0.08), MUFA and Dec. RMR in adjusted model (OR: 0.48; 95% CI: 0.21–1.10, P = 0.08) and refined grain and Inc. RMR in crude model (OR: 0.87; 95% CI: 0.77–0.99, P = 0.04). Conclusion Our study showed that there is no association between a low-carb diet and RMR status but carbohydrate, MUFA, and refined grain had a significant relationship.