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.
McDuffie
Jennifer R
JR
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
Adler-Wailes
Diane C
DC
Elberg
Jane
J
Steinberg
Emily N
EN
Fallon
Erica M
EM
Tershakovec
Andrew M
AM
Arslanian
Silva A
SA
Delany
James P
JP
Bray
George A
GA
Yanovski
Jack A
JA
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