Prediction equations for resting energy expenditure in overweight and normal-weight black and white children.
BACKGROUND
Accurate estimation of children's resting energy expenditure (REE) is important for planning dietary therapy.


OBJECTIVE
Our objective was to compare the utility of 5 REE prediction equations in a diverse sample of young children.


METHODS
REE was obtained in 502 black and white girls and boys aged 6-11 y by using indirect calorimetry at 4 US sites. Measured REE and REE predicted from the equations were compared.


RESULTS
None of the equations provided both accurate and unbiased estimates of REE. Two new sets of sex-specific equations including race as a factor were generated and evaluated. One set used easily measured variables-females: REE = 0.046 x weight - 4.492 x 1/height(2) - 0.151 x race + 5.841; males: REE = 0.037 x weight - 4.67 x 1/height(2) - 0.159 x race + 6.792-and accounted for 72% and 69%, respectively, of REE variance. The other set used body-composition variables-females: REE = 0.101 x fat-free mass + 0.025 x fat mass + 0.293 x height(3) - 0.185 x race + 1.643; males: REE = 0.078 x fat-free mass + 0.026 x fat mass - 2.646 x 1/height(2) - 0.244 x race + 4.8-and accounted for 75% and 71%, respectively, of REE variance. When split by race and adiposity, the small bias generated could be corrected to within 0.25 MJ (60 kcal) of the mean measured value.


CONCLUSIONS
Sex-specific equations must take race into account to predict REE adequately in children.
Unit on Growth and Obesity, Developmental Endocrinology Branch, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA. mcduffj@unc.edu
Jennifer R
JR
McDuffie
Diane C
DC
Adler-Wailes
Jane
J
Elberg
Emily N
EN
Steinberg
Erica M
EM
Fallon
Andrew M
AM
Tershakovec
Silva A
SA
Arslanian
James P
JP
Delany
George A
GA
Bray
Jack A
JA
Yanovski
D001481:Basal Metabolism; D044383:Black People; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002153:Calorimetry, Indirect; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000378:metabolism*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012737:Sex Factors; D044465:White People