Basal Metabolic Rate Determined by Indirect Calorimetry and Its Correlation to Body Composition of Beijing Adult Residents

  Objective  To detect the basal metabolic rate (BMR) of Beijing adult residents who participate in light physical activity and to investigate the correlation of BMR with body composition.

  Methods  Healthy adult residents in Beijing who participated in light physical activity were enrolled in this study. The BMR and body composition of the subjects were detected with indirect calorimetry and body composition analyzer, respectively. The difference between the detected BMR and the calculated BMR (based on Schofield equation) was compared. The correlation between BMR and body composition values was tested by the Pearson's method.

  Results  Fifty-seven healthy subjects, including 30 males with a mean age of (26.87±7.33) years (19- 43 years) and 27 females with a mean age of (25.89±7.38) years (18- 43 years) were included in this study. The mean detected BMR value was (5259.62±715.55)kJ/d in males and (4114.55±804.33)kJ/d in females, which were significantly lower than those calculated using Schofield equation, (7113.72±539.95) kJ/d in males and (5428.24±361.46) kJ/d in females (both P < 0.0001). The measured BMR was positively correlated with the body weight, body mass index, fat mass, muscle mass, and fat free mass (all P < 0.05). The correlation of BMR to height was significant in male subjects (P=0.012), but not among the females (P=0.433).

  Conclusions  The BMR of healthy residents in Beijing is lower than the currently recommended value based on the Schofield equation. The BMR is positively correlated with the body weight, body mass index, fat mass, muscle mass, and fat free mass.