Does basal metabolic rate predict weight gain?

Abstract

Background: Some previous studies have indicated that a low basal metabolic rate (BMR) is an independent predictor of future weight gain, but low rates of follow-up and highly select populations may limit the ability to generalize the results. Objective: We assessed whether adults with a low BMR gain more weight than do adults with a high BMR who are living in a typical Western environment. Design: We extracted BMR, body-composition, demographic, and laboratory data from electronic databases of 757 volunteers who were participating in our research protocols at the Mayo Clinic between 1995 and 2012. Research study volunteers were always weight stable, had no acute illnesses and no confounding medication use, and were nonsmokers. The top and bottom 15th percentiles of BMR, adjusted for fat-free mass (FFM), fat mass, age, and sex, were identified. Follow-up electronic medical record system data were available for 163 subjects, which allowed us to determine their subsequent weight changes for $3 y (mean: w9.7 y). Results: By definition, the BMR was different in the high-BMR group (2001 6 317 kcal/d; n = 86) than in the low-BMR group (1510 6 222 kcal/d; n = 77), but they were comparable with respect to age, body mass index, FFM, and fat mass. Rates of weight gain were not greater in the bottom BMR group (0.3 6 1.0 kg/y) than in the top BMR group (0.5 6 1.5 kg/y) (P = 0.17). Conclusion: Adults with low BMRs did not gain more weight than did adults with high BMRs, implying that habitual differences in food intake or activity counterbalance variations in BMR as a risk factor for weight gain in a typical Western population.Am J Clin Nutr 2016;104:959-63.

Family history of type 2 diabetes, abdominal adipocyte size and markers of the metabolic syndrome

“…Total body fat, lower body fat and fat free mass were measured from a dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA; Lunar/GE equipment, Madison, Wisconsin). Methods employed to assure body composition analysis is consistent over time and between instruments has been previously described ( 23 ).…”

Expression of Metabolic Syndrome in Women with Severe Obesity

“…6 Low 24-hr adjusted resting energy expenditure (REE) predicted the subsequent development of obesity or its metabolic complications, including MetS and diabetes, in some studies, 6,7 but not others. 8 In addition, after weight gain, the greater fat mass (FM) may lead to lower RQ and higher REE. 6 Thus, the influence of these variables may change over time.…”

Regulation of basal metabolic rate in uncomplicated pregnancy and in gestational diabetes mellitus

“…68,97 Although a low prepregnancy BMR has been linked with a higher body weight 6-8 and a higher GWG 9 during pregnancy, the association between a low BMR and weight gain has been questioned as regards a typical Western population. 20 However, crucial BMR-affecting factors, such as nutritional status and physical activity, were not evaluated in this study. In addition, there are physiological and metabolic differences between a typical Western population and women with GDM mainly caused by the development of maternal and fetal tissues as well as a gradual increase in cardiac output and respiratory rates.…”

“…RMR and BMR have been proposed by some, [17][18][19] but not all, 20 researchers to be independent factors of weight gain, after adjustment for fat-free mass (FFM), fat mass (FM), age, and sex. Conversely, FFM is well-established as the principal predictor of BMR, 10,15,21 while the contribution of FM to BMR seems more complex.…”