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No effect of gender on different components of daily energy expenditure in free living prepubertal children

International Journal of Obesity volume 24, pages 299–305 (2000)Cite this article

Abstract

BACKGROUND: There are limited and controversial data on the influence of gender on metabolic rate in prepubertal children.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of gender on resting energy expenditure (REE), activity-related energy expenditure (AEE), total energy expenditure (TEE) and physical activity level (PAL) in free-living prepubertal children.

DESIGN: Cross-sectional study.

SUBJECTS: 40 prepubertal children (24 boys, 16 girls, 4–11 y old (mean age: 7.0±1.2 y), BMI 13.1–32.0 kg/m2).

MEASUREMENTS: Energy expenditure was measured by the combination of indirect calorimetry and individually calibrated 24 h heart rate monitoring. Body composition was assessed by anthropometrics and bioelectrical impedance analysis. Socio-cultural and socio-economic factors, as well as activities of daily living, were estimated by questionnaire for the parents. Boys and girls were matched for fat-free mass (FFM, boys: 25.9±8.5 kg; and girls: 24.4±4.5 kg, n.s.) and fat mass (FM, boys: 11.6±5.9 kg; and girls: 10.8±3.3 kg, n.s.).

RESULTS: We found no sex difference in REE, AEE and TEE. PAL was 1.4±0.3 for boys and 1.2±0.4 for girls. REE and TEE were significantly related to FFM (r=0.62, r=0.81, r=0.60). FFM was found to be the most significant determinant of REE (r2=0.70). REE accounted for the largest part of the variance in TEE (r2=0.46). Gender had no significant effect.

CONCLUSIONS: There is no effect of gender on energy expenditure in prepubertal children.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by grants from Verein zur Förderung der Rehabilitationsforschung in Schleswig-Holstein e.V., Lübeck; Wirtschaftliche Vereinigung Zucker, Bonn; Else Kröner-Fresenius Stiftung, Bad Homburg; Bad Schwartau Werke, Bad Schwartau; team success, Selent; and Hansa-Tiefkühlmenü GmbH & Co., Hilter.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institut für Humanernährung und Lebensmittelkunde (Abteilung Ernährung des Menschen) der Christian-Albrechts Universität zu Kiel, Kiel, Germany

    A Grund, H Vollbrecht & MJ Müller

  2. Institut für Sport und Sportwissenschaften (Abteilung Sportmedizin) der Christian-Albrechts Universität zu Kiel, Germany

    H Krause, M Siewers & H Rieckert

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  1. A Grund
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  2. H Vollbrecht
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  3. W Frandsen
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  4. H Krause
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Correspondence to MJ Müller.

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Grund, A., Vollbrecht, H., Frandsen, W. et al. No effect of gender on different components of daily energy expenditure in free living prepubertal children. Int J Obes 24, 299–305 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijo.0801127

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