title: Determinants of decline in resting metabolic rate in aging females.
abstract: We considered the association of several metabolic and lifestyle variables as modulators of the decline in resting metabolic rate (RMR) and fat-free weight (FFW) in 183 healthy females (18-81 yr). RMR showed a curvilinear decline with age, which was significant in women aged 51-81 yr but not in women aged 18-50 yr. FFW showed a curvilinear decline with age, which was significant (P < 0.01) in women 48-81 yr but not in women 18-47 yr. The decline in RMR was primarily associated with the loss of FFW (r2 = 72%), whereas the decline in FFW was explained primarily by differences in maximal O2 consumption (VO2max), age, leisure time physical activity, and dietary protein intake (total r2 = 46%). We conclude that RMR and FFW showed a curvilinear decline with age which was accelerated beyond the middle-age years. Second, the age-related decline in RMR was primarily associated with the loss of FFW. Third, the loss of FFW was partially related to a decrement in VO2max and nutritional factors. Therapeutic interventions designed to increase VO2max by elevating physical activity may preserve fat-free weight and thus offset the decline of RMR in aging women.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington 05405.
authors.forename: E T
authors.initials: ET
authors.lastname: Poehlman
authors.forename: M I
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Goran
authors.forename: A W
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Gardner
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Ades
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Arciero
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Katzman-Rooks
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Montgomery
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Toth
authors.forename: P T
authors.initials: PT
authors.lastname: Sutherland
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000378:metabolism*; D004032:Diet; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008875:Middle Aged; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology; D012146:Rest / Q000502:physiology*