Validation of resting metabolic rate estimation equations in 9- to 12- year-old Mexican children with and without obesity
Balas-Nakash, M.; Villanueva-Quintana, A.él.; Vadillo-Ortega, F.; Perichart-Perera, O.
Revista de Investigacion Clinica; Organo del Hospital de Enfermedades de la Nutricion 60(5): 395-402
2008
ISSN/ISBN: 0034-8376 PMID: 19227437 Document Number: 619671
Childhood obesity is a public health problem that has increased in the last years. The measurement of resting metabolic rate (RMR) is an important tool to establish any obesity intervention. Existing equations to estimate RMR have not been evaluated in Mexican children. We describe the association and the agreement between the WHO, Schofield, Harris-Benedict and the Tverskaya equations to estimate the RMR in 114 students (9-12 years old) with normal weight and obesity, of two public schools in Mexico. RMR was measured by indirect calorimetry, in addition, we did an anthropometric and body composition evaluation (electrical bioimpedance method). The fat free mass was the variable that predicted the most variability in RMR. The WHO equation showed no significant difference in the RMR (calorimetry), while the Schofield, Harris-Benedict and the Tverskaya equations showed underestimation. The equation that presents the greatest agreement with the gold standard is the Tvershaya equation in both children with normal weight and obesity. The non concordant results in the RMR are explained by the differences in body composition. An equation that considers fat mass and fat free mass, as the one proposed by Tverskaya, seems to be the most appropriate equation to be used in clinical settings.