Little impact of resting energy expenditure on childhood weight and body composition

• Published in: Nutrition research (New York, N.Y.) N.Y.), 2011, Vol.31 (1), p.9-13
• Main Authors: Hosking, Joanne, Metcalf, Brad S, Jeffery, Alison N, Voss, Linda D, Wilkin, Terence J
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Body composition; Children; Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry; Energy expenditure; Gastroenterology and Hepatology; Weight gain
• ISSN: 0271-5317; 1879-0739
• DOI: 10.1016/j.nutres.2010.12.008

Abstract The role of resting energy expenditure (REE) in the development of obesity in children is controversial. Our aim was to test the hypothesis that REE has a meaningful impact on change in weight or body composition in healthy children. Resting energy expenditure by indirect calorimetry and body composition by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry were measured in 236 children (131 boys) on 7 annual occasions (7-13 years). The effect of REE at 7 years on change in weight and body composition was analyzed using linear mixed effects models. In neither sex was there an interaction between REE at 7 years and change in weight ( P > .9). There were weak associations between REE at 7 years and change in body composition in boys but not in girls: for a 418 kJ (100 kcal) lower REE at 7 years, an increase in rate of change in fat mass of approximately 0.1 kg/y and in percentage of fat of 0.2% per year and a decrease in fat-free mass of 0.1 kg/y. Change in REE during follow-up was not significantly associated with body composition changes in either sex ( P > .06). Thus, REE has little impact on the wide variation in weight gain at this age; although in boys, some fat was simply exchanged for lean, the effect was small. Resting energy expenditure does not appear to provide an explanation for childhood obesity.