Prediction of basal metabolic rate in overweight/obese and non-obese subjects and its relation to pulmonary function tests.
BACKGROUND
Few studies investigated the association between basal metabolic rate (BMR) and indicators of pulmonary function. This study was conducted to estimate BMR in overweight/obese and non-obese healthy subjects using four commonly used predictive equations and to investigate its relation to the indicators of lung function tests (LFT). A cross sectional study was conducted in Tabuk University, Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. A total of 201 students (98 males and 103 females) participated in the study. Four different values of BMR were calculated for each participant using four different predictive equations (Harris-Benedict, Mifflin, FAO/WHO/UNU and Henry-Rees). A portable All-flow spirometer (Clement Clarke International, Harlow, UK) was used for measurements of LFT.


RESULTS
Significantly higher values of spirometric indicators (p < 0.05) were found in males compared to females, except for FEF75 and FEF75-85. Mean BMR values predicted with the four equations were significantly higher in the males compared to the females and among the overweight/obese compared to the non-obese subjects (p < 0.05). The relation between mean BMR values and the indicators of LFT was statistically insignificant (p > 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Mean values of LFT indicators are not related to the estimated values of BMR. A practical calculation of BMR based on direct measurement of oxygen consumption is recommended to confirm the absence of this association.
Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tabuk, Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. t.hakim@ut.edu.sa.
Tarig H
TH
Merghani
Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tabuk, Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. azzaosman2@hotmail.com.
Azza O
AO
Alawad
Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tabuk, Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. rihabelhaj@hotmail.com.
Rihab M
RM
Ibrahim
Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tabuk, Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. asimamm@hotmail.com.
Asim M
AM
Abdelmoniem
D001481:Basal Metabolism; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012529:Saudi Arabia; D012737:Sex Factors; D055815:Young Adult