title: Resting metabolic rate, body composition, and serum leptin concentrations in a free-living elderly population.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The present study investigated the relationship between serum leptin concentrations and resting metabolic rate (RMR) in a large study group of elderly individuals with special consideration of body composition and body fat distribution as possible confounders.
  
  
  METHODS
  The subjects were 122 women (age: 69+/-6 years, body mass index (BMI): 26.3+/-3.6 kg/m(2)) and 82 men (age: 69+/-5 years, BMI: 26.0+/-2.6 kg/m(2)). RMR was measured by indirect calorimetry and body composition by the bioelectrical impedance method. Serum leptin levels were determined by radioimmunoassay.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a strong correlation between fat mass (FM) and serum leptin levels in both sexes. An age-related decline in leptin levels adjusted for FM was observed only in the women. After adjustment of RMR for both fat-free mass (FFM) and FM, leptin levels were not associated with RMR. In stepwise multiple regression analysis, FFM was the main predictor of RMR, explaining 35.8% and 47.6% of the variance of RMR in men and women respectively. FM did not explain variance in RMR in men, but accounted for 2.6% of the variance in RMR in women. Waist-hip-ratio and age influenced RMR only in males, explaining 5.7% and 4.0% of the variance in RMR respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Leptin is not a significant predictor of RMR in the elderly, but body composition and distribution of body fat are significantly associated with RMR.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Nutritional Sciences, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany. Monika.Neuhaeuser-Berthold@ernaehrung.uni-giessen.de
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Neuhäuser-Berthold
authors.forename: B M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Herbert
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Lührmann
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Sültemeier
authors.forename: W F
authors.initials: WF
authors.lastname: Blum
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Frey
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hebebrand
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001481:Basal Metabolism; D001823:Body Composition; D001824:Body Constitution; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020738:Leptin / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D011159:Population Surveillance; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012111:Residence Characteristics
chemical_list: D020738:Leptin