Original Article
European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2006) 60, 18–24. doi:10.1038/sj.ejcn.1602262; published online 7 September 2005
Greater than predicted decrease in resting energy expenditure with age: cross-sectional and longitudinal evidence
Guarantor: A Tremblay.
Contributors: GA-G and ED were responsible for writing the manuscript and data collection and analysis. They also reviewed relevant literature, interpreted data, and drafted the manuscript. CB and AT were responsible for the study design. They contributed to the manuscript preparation and revised the manuscript before publication.
G Alfonzo-González1, E Doucet2, C Bouchard3 and A Tremblay1
- 1Division of Kinesiology, Laval University, Sainte-Foy, Québec, CanadaM
- 2School of Human Kinetics, University of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- 3Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
Correspondence: Dr A Tremblay, Division of Kinesiology, PEPS, Laval University, Sainte-Foy, Québec, Canada G1K 7P4. E-mail: angelo.tremblay@kin.msp.ulaval.ca
Received 7 October 2004; Revised 28 April 2005; Accepted 29 June 2005; Published online 7 September 2005.
Abstract
Objective:
To determine whether the age-related decrease in resting energy expenditure (REE) is explained by variations in body composition.
Design:
In Study 1, adult subjects (20–70 years) from the Québec Family Study were classified into five different age groups. Body composition was measured by hydrodensitometry to determine fat mass and fat-free mass as predictors of REE. In the youngest group of individuals these predictors were used to plot a reference regression that was then used to predict REE in the other age groups. In Study 2, this issue was investigated in a longitudinal design (6-year follow-up). Subjects were subdivided into three groups and a reference regression was plotted at the beginning of the follow-up and was then used to predict REE 6 years later in the three age groups.
Subjects:
In Study 1, 627 adults (288 men and 339 women), aged between 20 and 70 years. In Study 2, 191 adults (93 men and 98 women).
Results:
In Study 1, measured REE was 329, 302, 528 and 636 kJ/day (P<0.0001) below predicted REE at 34, 44, 54 and 64 years, respectively. In Study 2 the most marked deviation from predicted REE in response to the 6-year follow-up in men was observed in young adults (-548 kJ/day, P<0.001) while in women, the largest deviation occurred later in life (-720 kJ/day, P<0.001).
Conclusion:
Aging is accompanied by a decrease in REE that is significantly greater than what is predicted by variations in body composition. This decrease may reach a mean level of about 500–800 kJ/day.
Keywords:
aging, REE, equation
MORE ARTICLES LIKE THIS
These links to content published by NPG are automatically generated
REVIEWS
Clinical significance of adaptive thermogenesis
International Journal of Obesity Review
European Journal of Clinical Nutrition Review
RESEARCH
Longitudinal changes in energy expenditure in an elderly German population: a 12-year follow-up
European Journal of Clinical Nutrition Original Article
Exaggerated claim about adaptive thermogenesis
International Journal of Obesity Letter
European Journal of Clinical Nutrition Original Article
