Low resting energy expenditure in Asians can be attributed to body composition.
OBJECTIVE
To compare resting energy expenditure (REE) between Asians and whites after adjusting for fat-free mass measured with a two- or more-compartment model.


METHODS
Participants were 10 white men (28 +/- 3 years), 10 Asian men (30 +/- 4 years), 10 white women (22 +/- 4 years), and 11 Asian women (31 +/- 7 years). REE was measured with a ventilated hood system under strictly controlled conditions. Body composition was measured with a two-compartment model based on body mass (BM) and body volume (hydrodensitometry), a three-compartment model adding total body water (TBW) (deuterium dilution), and a four-compartment model incorporating bone mass (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA)) as well. Lean BM in the trunk and in the extremities was assessed with DXA. All measurements were performed at Maastricht University. Measurements on Asian subjects were performed within 3 months after their arrival in the Netherlands.


RESULTS
Absolute REE was lower in Asians (5.87 +/- 0.91 MJ/day) than in whites (7.00 +/- 1.11 MJ/day). There was no significant difference in REE between the two races after adjustment for fat-free mass.


CONCLUSIONS
There were no significant differences in REE between Asians and whites after adjustment for differences in body composition based on a two- or more-compartment model.
Wouters-Adriaens
Mirjam P E
MP
Department of Human Biology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
Westerterp
Klaas R
KR
D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D000328:Adult; D044466:Asian People; D001823:Body Composition; D001834:Body Water; D001835:Body Weight; D015519:Bone Density; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008954:Models, Biological; D009426:Netherlands; D044465:White People