Predicting the resting metabolic rate of 30-60-year-old Australian males.
OBJECTIVE
This study: (a) generated regression equations for predicting the resting metabolic rate (RMR) of 30-60-y-old Australian males from age, height, mass and fat-free mass (FFM); and (b) cross-validated RMR prediction equations which are currently used in Australia against our measured and predicted values.


METHODS
A power analysis demonstrated that 41 subjects would enable the detection of (alpha=0.05, power=0.80) statistically and physiologically significant differences of 8% between predicted/measured RMRs in this study and those predicted from the equations of other investigators.


METHODS
Forty-one males ([X]+/-s.d.:, 44.8+/-8.6 y; 83.50+/-11.32 kg; 179.1+/-5.0 cm) were recruited for this study.


METHODS
The following variables were measured: skinfold thicknesses; RMR using open circuit indirect calorimetry; and FFM via a four-compartment (fat mass, total body water, bone mineral mass and residual) body composition model.


RESULTS
A multiple regression equation using mass, height and age as predictors correlated 0.745 with RMR and the s.e.e. was 509 kJ/day. Inclusion of FFM as a predictor increased both the correlation and the precision of prediction, but there was no difference between FFM via the four-compartment model (r=0.816, s.e.e.=429 kJ/day) and that predicted from skinfold thicknesses (r=0.805, s.e.e.=441 kJ/day).


CONCLUSIONS
Cross-validation analyses emphasised that equations need to be generated from a large database for the prediction of the RMR of 30-60-y-old Australian males.
van der Ploeg
G E
GE
Exercise Physiology Laboratory, School of Education, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
Withers
R T
RT
D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon / Q000379:methods; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000375:Aging / Q000378:metabolism*; D001315:Australia; D001481:Basal Metabolism; D001823:Body Composition; D001827:Body Height; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002153:Calorimetry, Indirect / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011865:Radioisotope Dilution Technique; D012044:Regression Analysis; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012885:Skinfold Thickness