2Endocrine Research Unit, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
3College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
Keywords: Energy requirements; Bariatric; Accelerometer; Indirect calorimetry
The Harris-Benedict (HB), [1] Mifflin St. Jeor (MSJ), [2] and the Food and Agriculture Organization/ World Health Organization/ United Nations University (FAO/WHO/UNU)[3] are REE predicting equations widely used in different populations [4-6]. These equations consider factors such as weight, height, age, and gender. The predicted REE is then multiplied by a PA coefficient for an estimate of TEE (Table 1). These coefficients have been derived by subtracting REE measured with indirect calorimetry from the TEE measured with the doubly labelled water technique [3,7,8]. Therefore, PA coefficients account not only for PAEE but also the TEF. However, there are inconsistencies in the selection and recommendation of PA coefficients for different equations (Table 1). Specific PA coefficients are based on the PA level of each participant, usually determined by self-reports and dietitian’s experience. Because PAEE is the most variable component of TEE, the impact of PA coefficients based on self-report vs. objective PA assessment must be evaluated.
After gastric bypass surgery REE declines in direct association with weight loss [9-11], and REE prediction equations remain well correlated with measured REE (REE-m) in this population. Flancbaum et al. [12] showed that HB equation predicted 90- 101% of the REE-m by indirect calorimetry from pre- to 6-months post-surgery and 107-111% from 12-24 months post-surgery; during which gastric bypass patient’s weight decreased 96 to 146 kg. Among obese individuals, Prado-de Oliveira et al. [13] reported that HB equation predicted REE-m; however, prediction was 8% lower. More recently, Ullah et al. [14] observed that HB equation overestimated REE by 10% in morbidly obese adults, but after gastric bypass surgery the difference was reduced to 1%. Other studies have supported HB and MSJ equations to predict REE in non-obese to morbidly obese women [5,15], while the FAO/WHO/UNU equation have been supported by some [16] but criticized by others [15].
The HB, MSJ, and FAO/WHO/UNU equations to predict TEE using recommended PA coefficients in post-Gastric Bypass (GB), Lean (LE), and Obese (OB) adults have not been reported. Because the significant weight reduction after gastric bypass surgery represents a metabolic challenge not fully understood, and because over reporting PA behavior is common, particularly among overweight and obese adults [17,18], we hypothesized that 1) predicted REE will be similar to REE-m using all equations, but 2) differences in PA coefficients determined with self-report vs. objectively assessed PA behavior will be present among GB, LE, and OB women.
Equation |
PA Level: PA Coefficient |
|
HB (1984) |
Women (REE) = 447.593 × (9.247 × weight) + (3.098 × height) – (4.330 × age) |
0:1.2 1:1.375 2:1.55 3:1.725 4:1.9 |
MSJ (2005) |
Women (REE) = (9.99 × weight) + 6.25 × height) – (4.92 × age) - 161 |
|
FAO/WHO/UNU (1985) |
Women - (REE by age group) 18-30 yr. of age: (13.3 × weight) + (334 × height) + 35 31-60 yr. of age: (8.7 × weight) - (25 × height) + 885 > 60 yr. of age: (9.2 × weight) + (637 × height) – 302 |
0:1.56 1:1.64 2:1.82 |
The recommended PA coefficient [7] for each PA level (Table 1) was multiplied by the REE predicted with HB and MSJ equations for an estimate of TEE. The FAO/WHO/UNU equation presents a different set of PA levels and coefficient (FAO/WHO/ UNU, 1985) which were determined according to the following criteria: 0 (light activity) < 150 min/week or < 7,500 steps/day, 1 (moderate activity) = 150-299 min/week or 7,500-10,000 steps/day, and 2 (heavy activity) ≥ 300 min/week or ≥ 10,000 steps/day. We also determined TEE for each participant using the REE-m, the accelerometer determined PAEE, and 10% for the TEF. Then, we determined a PA coefficient by dividing our determined TEE by the REE-m (Table 2).
No within group differences were observed for REE-m and predicted with the three equations, but between group differences were detected. REE-m was lower in LE compared with the GB and OB groups, and predicted REE were different between the three groups (Figure 1A), with the highest predicted REE observed in the OB and the lowest in the LE group. The percent of REE predicted with all equations was higher in the OB compared with the GB group (Figure 1B). Moreover, the agreement and concordance between the REE-m and predicted with HB, MSJ, and FAO/WHO/UNU equations (Figure 2A, 2B, 2C, respectively)
Variable |
GB (n = 13) |
LE (n = 7) |
OB (n = 12) |
P |
Age (yrs.) |
37.6 ± 1.7 |
36.6 ± 2.7 |
32.0 ± 2.3 |
0.14 |
BMI (kg/m2) |
30.2 ± 1.4* |
22.4 ± 0.8* |
37.9 ± 1.0* |
< 0.001 |
Visceral fat (cm2) |
58.8 ± 10.5 |
31.4 ± 8.7 |
127.4 ± 11.0* |
0.005 |
Fat Free Mass (kg) |
46.2 ± 1.7 |
42.4 ± 2.4 |
49.8 ± 1.8 |
0.06 |
Resting VO2 (ml·kg-1·min-1) |
2.24 ± 0.1 |
2.44 ± 0.1 |
1.95 ± 0.1* |
0.002 |
Relative REE (kcal/kg FFM) |
35.6 ± 1.2 |
32.7 ± 1.8 |
35.1 ± 1.6 |
0.45 |
Accelerometer Total MVPA (min/week) |
185.9 ± 33.0 |
322.6 ± 136.3 |
124.0 ± 22.1 |
0.09 |
MVPA in 10 min bouts (min/week) |
22.9 ± 11.4 |
174.4 ± 133.2 |
21.6 ± 7.3 |
0.10 |
Accelerometer PAEE (kcal) |
268.8 ± 19.4 |
179.4 ± 26.8 |
350.4 ± 24.2* |
0.002 |
Accelerometer Sedentary Time (hrs./day) |
9.7 ± 0.5 |
9.3 ± 0.7 |
9.9 ± 0.5 |
0.78 |
IPAQ MVPA (min/week) |
497.7 ± 248.6 |
541.4 ± 263.7 |
828.6 ± 261.7 |
0.61 |
IPAQ Sedentary Time (hrs./day) |
7.9 ± 1.4 |
6.7 ± 1.1 |
7.7 ± 0.9 |
0.81 |
Energy Intake (kcal/day) |
1878 ± 215.7 |
1697 ± 335.1 |
2119 ± 476.0 |
0.75 |
Carbohydrate Intake (g) |
225.6 ± 27.3 |
208.7 ± 47.8 |
244.6 ± 48.8 |
0.85 |
Fat Intake (g) |
77.0 ± 10.8 |
59.4 ± 9.4 |
83.5 ± 19.9 |
0.61 |
Protein Intake (g) |
76.5 ± 7.7 |
78.1 ± 19.1 |
94.0 ± 19.2 |
0.66 |
PA coefficients using objective vs. self-reported PA level are presented in Table 3. Values were higher using the FAO/WHO/ UNU classification and, as expected, values were also higher when using self-reports to classify PA level. Our determined PA coefficient was similar to PA coefficients estimated with objectively assessed PA level. Although the differences between PA coefficients appeared small, when values were used to predict TEE, differences in energy requirements were magnified. The comparison between our determined TEE and TEE predicted with each equation is presented in Figure 3. No differences were observed between these two values in GB and OB groups when objective PA level and coefficients were used, but predicted TEE was higher with self-reported PA level (approximately 200-300 Kcal/day). In the LE group, TEE predicted with HB was higher (approximately 300 Kcal/day) with both objectively and subjectively determined PA level. Predicted TEE with MSJ equation was similar to our determined TEE in all groups when using objectively and subjectively determined PA level. With the FAO/WHO/UNU equation, the predicted TEE was significantly higher (approximately 300-900 kcal/day) in all groups regardless of how PA level was determined.
Criteria |
Equation |
GB |
LE |
OB |
Steps/day |
HB, MSJ |
1.4 (1.2-1.725) |
1.5 (1.2-1.9) |
1.4 (1.2–1.55) |
FAO/WHO/UNU |
1.6 (1.56–1.64) |
1.6 (1.5–1.82) |
1.6 (1.56–1.64) |
|
Accelerometer - MVPA (min/week) |
HB, MSJ |
1.4 (1.2–1.9) |
1.5 (1.2–1.9) |
1.3 (1.2–1.55) |
FAO/WHO/UNU |
1.6 (1.56–1.82) |
1.7 (1.56–1.82) |
1.6 (1.56–1.64) |
|
IPAQ - MVPA (min/week) |
HB, MSJ |
1.6 (1.2–1.9) |
1.5 (1.2–1.725) |
1.5 (1.2–1.725) |
FAO/WHO/UNU |
1.7 (1.56–1.82) |
1.6 (1.56 –1.82) |
1.6 (1.56–1.82) |
|
Determined PA coefficient = (REE-m + accelerometer PAEE + TEF)/REE-m |
1.4 (1.3–1.5) |
1.3 (1.2–1.4) |
1.4 (1.3–1.6) |
A better REE estimate with MSJ compared with HB was reported in a systematic review among non-obese and obese adults [5]. REE predicted with MSJ was within 10% of the REE-m in 82% of non-obese, and 70% of obese participants, contrasting with REE predicted with HB which was accurate in 45-80% of the non-obese, and 38-66% of the obese. FAO/WHO/UNU equation was not included because of lack of evidence at the individual level at that time. However, in a study to determine energy requirements in a controlled feeding trial, Lin et al. [16] reported that HB and FAO/WHO/UNU equations accurately predicted energy requirements to achieve stable weight. In another study, Weijs and Vansant [15] evaluated the accuracy of HB, MSJ, and FAO/WHO/UNU equations among normal weight
to morbidly obese Belgian women. Although the REE predicted and REE-m were similar (Mean ± SD= 1,687 ± 219, 1,614 ± 247, 1,691 ± 240, and 1,657 ± 288 Kcal/day, respectively), and the average accuracy was also similar (68, 68, and 61% cases within 10% of REE-m, respectively); at the individual level the accuracy dropped significantly (51% to 29%) with the FAO/WHO/UNU in extremely obese women (≥ 45 Kg/m2). In the rage of BMI observed in our study the accuracy of the HB and MSJ equations reported by Weijs and Vansant [15] ranged from 75-80%, which is also consistent with our results. These authors concluded that HB and MSJ can be used to predict REE in normal weight to
The use of PA coefficients to estimate TEE from REE prediction equations is common among dietitians and nutritionists when assessing energy requirements and nutritional interventions. The difficulties with the accuracy of these coefficients are partially solved when TEE is measured with doubly labelled water under free living conditions, and REE with indirect calorimetry [7]. PA coefficients derived from such measures account not only for the PAEE but also the TEF. Based on these reports, a mean 1.65 PA coefficient was derived, with lower coefficients for individuals classified as sedentary and low active (1.2-1.5), and higher values for individuals classified as heavily active (1.8-2.4) [30]. Other categories of PA and corresponding PA coefficients have been used (Table 1) in different studies. For example, Kien and Ugrasbul [31] used a standard PA coefficient of 1.6 for the estimate of TEE in non-obese adults; while Spears et al. [28] used a PA coefficient of 1.4 for sedentary, 1.5 for low active, and 1.6 for active overweight women. Others have failed to specify how PA level is determined or which PA coefficient is used to estimate TEE [4,6]. However, most studies rely on PA self-reports [6,16,28] which are likely to overestimate PA coefficients because of the usual over-reporting of PA behavior [18]. We recently reported that GB, LE and OB adults overestimate their PA behavior with self-reports compared with objective assessment, and the overestimation is higher in OB compared with GB and LE groups [17]. Light activity and sedentary behavior in the present group of women showed, as expected, that the proportion classified as sedentary to low active was lower with self-report compared with accelerometer (GB: 38 vs. 81%; LE: 57 vs. 71%; OB: 50 vs. 81%), and the level of sedentariness among these participants was of concern.
Our determined PA coefficients for GB, LE, and OB women were similar to those recommended for HB and MSJ only when using objectively assessed PA level, and were lower than coefficients for the FAO/WHO/UNU equation and coefficients used in previous studies [28,31]. These differences are magnified when coefficients are used to estimate TEE from prediction equations, particularly with the FAO/WHO/UNU, suggesting that their PA coefficients are probably inadequate. Overestimates of daily energy requirements ranging from 200-900 kcal/day when adding an estimated PA coefficient factor to an REE prediction equation could jeopardize any attempt for weight control. It was also interesting to notice that energy intake was not different than our determined TEE in each group (GB= 1,878 ± 215 vs. 2,203 ± 62 Kcal/day; LE = 1,698 ± 329 vs. 1,767 ± 78 Kcal/day; OB = 2,199 ± 481 vs. 2,370 ± 63 Kcal/day, respectively), suggesting that women participants were likely in energy balance.
There are important limitations in the present study. First our small sample size consisting only of women makes our results not generalizable to men. However, our results are comparable to previous studies with women using larger sample sizes. A strength and novelty of this study is the inclusion of GB, LE, and OB groups for comparison. A second limitation is the lack of valid assessment of TEF. Although TEF represents a small amount of the TEE, assuming that it represents 10% of the TEE could be problematic for some individuals. There is limited information regarding TEF among GB, OB and LE individuals. The comparison of TEF before and after gastric bypass surgery have indicated either no change or 200% increase [11].
In conclusion, predictions of REE using HB and MSJ equations appeared adequate for our GB and LE women, but caution is advised for those in the extremes of REE. Among OB women HB and MSJ equations were less appropriate, and the FAO/WHO/ UNU equation was the least accurate in all groups. To determine daily energy requirements from estimated TEE, PA coefficients must be based on objectively assessed PA behavior. Future studies must include TEF among GB, LE and OB participants so that TEE prediction equations could be adequately validated.
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