Comparing different measures of energy expenditure in human subjects resident in a metabolic facility.
OBJECTIVE
To compare energy expenditure (EE) measured by doubly labeled water (DLW) with other measures, both physical and based on subjective questionnaires.


METHODS
A comparison of methods in a stratified sample of adult volunteers.


METHODS
The feeding behaviour suite (FBS) at the Rowett Research Institute, Aberdeen.


METHODS
A total of 59 subjects, stratified for age, sex and body mass index (BMI).


METHODS
EE was assessed by DLW (validated using measurements of energy balance), heart rate monitor (HRM), activity monitor (Caltrac), 24-h physical activity diary (PAD) and 7-day physical activity recall. Energy intake was assessed using covert (investigator-weighed) food intake (EI). Data were collected over a 12-day period of residence in the Rowett's FBS.


RESULTS
No methods correlated highly with physical activity assessed by DLW. Physical methods correlated more closely than did subjective recording. All methods (except EI) significantly underestimated EE, estimated by DLW. There were no significant differences in association between methods and sex, age, BMI or fat-free mass.


CONCLUSIONS
EE is difficult to measure precisely or accurately with current approaches but physical methods are slightly better than subjective accounts.
Fuller
Z
Z
Rowett Research Services, Rowett Research Institute, Aberdeen, UK.
Horgan
G
G
O'Reilly
L M
LM
Ritz
P
P
Milne
E
E
Stubbs
R J
RJ
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001481:Basal Metabolism; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003903:Deuterium; D002149:Energy Intake / Q000502:physiology*; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009751:Nutritional Requirements; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D003903:Deuterium