BMR in a Brazilian adult probability sample: the Nutrition, Physical Activity and Health Survey

Abstract

Objective: To measure BMR in a probability sample of adults from an urban city of Brazil and to compare indirectly measured BMR (BMR i ) with BMR predicted from different equations. Design: BMR data were obtained by indirect calorimetry and estimated by different predictive equations (Schofield; Harris and Benedict; Henry and Rees). Anthropometric and body composition measures were also obtained. Setting: The Nutrition, Physical Activity and Health Survey (PNAFS), a household survey conducted in Niterói, Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil. Subjects: Representative sample of 529 adults (aged $20 years; 339 females) living in Niterói, Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil. Results: Mean BMR i values were 5839?7 (SE 73?9) kJ/d and 4758?1 (SE 39?5) kJ/d for men and women, respectively. Predicted BMR by all equations was significantly higher (difference between means and 95 % CI did not include zero) than BMR i in both men and women of all ages. Overall bias in BMR (predicted BMR minus BMR i ) using the Schofield equations (overestimation of about 20 %) was higher than when using the Henry and Rees equations (13 % and 16 % overestimation for males and females, respectively). The percentage of individuals whose BMR predicted by the Schofield equations fell within 10 % of BMR i was very low (7?8 % and 14?1 % of males and females, respectively). Conclusions: Current available predictive equations of BMR are not adequate to estimate BMR in Brazilians living in Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Energy intake underreporting of adults in a household survey: the impact of using a population specific basal metabolic rate equation

“…Because BMR is rarely measured in clinical or epidemiological studies, predictive equations based on body mass and specific age groups are frequently used 9 . It has been well documented that these equations overestimate BMR 11,12 . In fact, BMR values calculated by the equation proposed by Anjos et al 11 and validated by Wahrlich et al 12 , specific for the population of Niterói, show that the equations recommended for international use significantly overestimate BMR, confirming the results documented in segments of the Brazilian population living in the country 11 and abroad 24 .…”

“…The reported foods or preparations were converted to energy and macronutrients using computer software developed for the Brazilian cuisine (NutWin; Escola Paulista (25-29.9), and obese (≥ 30). BMR for each individual was estimated by predictive equations recommended for international use 9,10 and the ones developed in a sub-sample of the PNAFS 11 . The equations are BMR = 9.99(body mass) + 7.14(stature) -2.79(age in years) -450.5 for males and; BMR = 8.95(body mass) + 8.87(stature) -0.70(age in years) -814.3 for females.…”

“…BMR is important not only in the assessment of the validity of EI information in population studies but also in the determination of the energy requirements of populations and in the expression of physical activity levels 9 . Since it is not routinely measured, BMR is estimated by predictive equations 9,10 , but some studies have shown that these equations overestimate BMR in Brazilians living in the country 11 and abroad 12 .…”

“…A recent report has documented the inadequacy of the Food and Agriculture Organization/World Health Organization (FAO/WHO) recommended BMR equations 9,10 in a probability sample of adults from Niterói, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil 11 . Predicted BMR was significantly higher than measured BMR in men and women of all ages, leading the authors to develop 11 and validate 12 equations to estimate BMR for the adult population of Niterói.…”

“…Predicted BMR was significantly higher than measured BMR in men and women of all ages, leading the authors to develop 11 and validate 12 equations to estimate BMR for the adult population of Niterói. Thus, reliable BMR information is crucial when assessing EI in population studies.…”