Original Article

International Journal of Obesity (2007) 31, 751–755. doi:10.1038/sj.ijo.0803507; published online 28 November 2006

Affordable measurement of human total energy expenditure and body composition using one-tenth dose doubly labelled water

D V Mann1, C S Ho2, L Critchley3, B S P Fok3, E W H Pang2, C W K Lam2 and N M Hjelm2

  1. 1Department of Surgery, Prince of Wales Hospital, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong
  2. 2Department of Chemical Pathology, Prince of Wales Hospital, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong
  3. 3Department of Anaesthesia, Prince of Wales Hospital, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong

Correspondence: Dr DV Mann, Department of Surgery, Prince of Wales Hospital, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Room 1814 Hutchison House, 10 Harcourt Road, Central, Hong Kong. E-mail: d_v_mann@hotmail.com

Received 8 April 2006; Revised 12 September 2006; Accepted 20 September 2006; Published online 28 November 2006.

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Abstract

Background:

 

The doubly labelled water (DLW) method is the technique of choice for measurement of free-living total energy expenditure (TEE) in humans. A major constraint on the clinical applicability of the method has been the expense of the 18O isotope.

Method:

 

We have used a reduced-dose (one-tenth of the currently recommended standard dose) of DLW for the measurement of TEE and body composition in nine healthy adult male volunteers.

Results:

 

TEE measured by reduced-dose DLW was positively correlated with resting energy expenditure measured by metabolic cart (r=0.87, P<0.01). Isotope-derived fat mass and body mass index were strongly correlated (r=0.86, P<0.01). In four subjects in whom we performed a complementary evaluation using standard-dose isotope enrichment, the TEE measurements were satisfactorily comparable (meanplusminuss.d.: reduced dose 2586plusminus155 kcal/day vs standard dose 2843plusminus321 kcal/day; mean difference 257plusminus265 kcal/day).

Conclusion:

 

These data indicate that DLW measurements of human energy expenditure and body composition can be performed at a substantially reduced dose (and cost) of isotope enrichment than is currently employed.

Keywords:

doubly labelled water, metabolism, energy expenditure, body composition, activity level

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