title: Effect of weight reduction on resting energy expenditure, substrate utilization, and the thermic effect of food in moderately obese women.
abstract: It is not known whether the decrease in the thermic effect of food (TEF) in obesity is a consequence of obesity or a factor contributing to the development of obesity. The resting energy expenditure (REE) of 24 obese, nondiabetic, postmenopausal women was 5481 +/- 110 kJ/24 h (1310 +/- 26.4 kcal/24 h). After weight loss (12.7 +/- 0.45 kg) the REE was significantly decreased (4858 +/- 94 kJ/24 h, or 1161 +/- 22.4 kcal/24 h) and equivalent to the REE of 4866 +/- 119 kJ/24 h (1163 +/- 28.5 kcal/24 h) in 24 never-obese, postmenopausal women. The TEF, expressed as a percentage of the calories ingested, was 8.2 +/- 0.50% for obese subjects, 8.7 +/- 0.57% for postobese subjects, and 9.8 +/- 0.54% for never-obese subjects. Compared with never-obese subjects, the TEF was significantly reduced in obese subjects (P = 0.043) and remained unchanged after weight loss (P = 0.341). These findings indicate that the lower TEF in the obese subjects is uncorrected by weight loss, and thus it is a contributor to obesity rather than a consequence of obesity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Research, Baptist Medical Centers, Birmingham, AL 35211.
authors.forename: K M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Nelson
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Weinsier
authors.forename: L D
authors.initials: LD
authors.lastname: James
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Darnell
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Hunter
authors.forename: C L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Long
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001481:Basal Metabolism; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D001823:Body Composition; D001833:Body Temperature Regulation; D050260:Carbohydrate Metabolism; D004435:Eating / Q000502:physiology*; D002149:Energy Intake; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D050356:Lipid Metabolism; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000378:metabolism*; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D011506:Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D015431:Weight Loss / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D007328:Insulin; D011506:Proteins; D004837:Epinephrine