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Body composition, energy expenditure and physical activity

High respiratory quotient is associated with increases in body weight and fat mass in young adults

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition volume 70, pages 1197–1202 (2016)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Background/Objectives:

Metabolic disturbances, such as reduced rates of fat oxidation (high respiratory quotient (RQ)) or low energy expenditure (low resting metabolic rate (RMR)), may contribute to obesity. The objective was to determine the association between a high RQ or a low RMR and changes in body weight and body composition over 1 year.

Subjects/Methods:

We measured RQ and RMR in 341 adults using indirect calorimetry, along with body weight/body composition using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometery, energy expenditure using an arm-based activity monitor and energy intake using dietary recalls. Participants were classified into low, moderate or high RQ and RMR (adjusted for age, sex, race and body composition) groups according to tertiles by sex. Follow-up measurements were completed every 3 months.

Results:

Individuals with a high RQ had larger gains in body weight and fat mass compared with individuals with a low/moderate RQ at month 3, and increases in fat mass were more than double among individuals with a high RQ at 12 months (1.3±3.0 vs 0.6±3.7 kg, P=0.03). Individuals with a low RMR did not gain more body weight nor fat mass compared with individuals with a moderate/high RMR.

Conclusion:

The primary finding is a high RQ is predictive of gains in body weight and fat mass over a 12-month period among young adults, with changes occurring as soon as 3 months. In addition, a low RMR was not associated with gains in body weight or fat mass over the same period.

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Acknowledgements

We thank the participants of the present study for volunteering their time and effort. In addition, we are grateful to the project staff for their tireless efforts with data collection and study management, specifically Patrick Crowley, Madison Demello, Beth Lach, Reena Patel and Sarah Schumacher.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Kinesiology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA

    R P Shook

  2. School of Public Health, University of West Virginia, Morgantown, WV, USA

    G A Hand

  3. Department of Exercise Science, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA

    A E Paluch, X Wang & S N Blair

  4. Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA

    R Moran, J R Hébert & S N Blair

  5. Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA

    J R Hébert

  6. South Carolina Statewide Cancer Prevention and Control Program, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA

    J R Hébert

  7. Department of Health and Physical Activity, Physical Activity and Weight Management Research Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA

    J M Jakicic

Authors
  1. R P Shook
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  2. G A Hand
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  4. X Wang
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  8. S N Blair
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to R P Shook.

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Competing interests

This study was supported by an unrestricted research grant from the Coca-Cola Company. SNB received book royalties (<$5000 per year) from Human Kinetics, honoraria for service on the Scientific/Medical Advisory Boards for Technogym, Santech, Cancer Fit Steps for Life and Clarity, and honoraria for lectures and consultations from scientific, educational and lay groups. During the past 5-year period he has received research grants from the National Institutes of Health, Department of Defense, Body Media and the Coca-Cola Company. In the last 3 years, GAH has received funding from the National Institutes of Health, Health Resources and Services Administration, American Heart Association, the Coca Cola Company and TechnoGym. JRH was supported by an Established Investigator Award in Cancer Prevention and Control from the Cancer Training Branch of the National Cancer Institute (K05 CA136975). The remaining authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Supplementary Information accompanies this paper on European Journal of Clinical Nutrition website

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Shook, R., Hand, G., Paluch, A. et al. High respiratory quotient is associated with increases in body weight and fat mass in young adults. Eur J Clin Nutr 70, 1197–1202 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1038/ejcn.2015.198

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/ejcn.2015.198

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