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

International Journal of Obesity volume 31, pages 751–755 (2007)Cite this article

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 (mean±s.d.: reduced dose 2586±155 kcal/day vs standard dose 2843±321 kcal/day; mean difference 257±265 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.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery, Prince of Wales Hospital, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong

    D V Mann

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

    C S Ho, E W H Pang, C W K Lam & N M Hjelm

  3. Department of Anaesthesia, Prince of Wales Hospital, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong

    L Critchley & B S P Fok

Authors
  1. D V Mann
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  2. C S Ho
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  3. L Critchley
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  4. B S P Fok
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  5. E W H Pang
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  6. C W K Lam
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  7. N M Hjelm
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Correspondence to D V Mann.

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Mann, D., Ho, C., Critchley, L. et al. Affordable measurement of human total energy expenditure and body composition using one-tenth dose doubly labelled water. Int J Obes 31, 751–755 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijo.0803507

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijo.0803507

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