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Components of total energy expenditure in free-living elderly men (over 75 years of age) : measurement, predictability and relationship to quality-of-life indices

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 March 2007

N. J. Fuller
Affiliation:
1MRC Dunn Clinical Nutrition Centre, Cambridge CB2 2DH
M. B. Sawyer
Affiliation:
1MRC Dunn Clinical Nutrition Centre, Cambridge CB2 2DH
W. A. Coward
Affiliation:
1MRC Dunn Clinical Nutrition Centre, Cambridge CB2 2DH
P. Paxton
Affiliation:
2LensJield Medical Practice, 48 Lensfeld Road, Cambridge CB2 IEG
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Abstract

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Current recommendations for energy requirements in the elderly are based on assumed levels of physical activity relative to BMR (1.5 x BMR). The main aim of the present study was to establish whether these recommendations might be applicable to a randomly-selected group of free-living elderly men (all over 75 years of age). BMR was measured by indirect calorimetry and total energy expenditure (TEE) by the doubly-labelled-water technique. Further aims included evaluating the applicability of a variety of BMR prediction equations and whether assessed quality of life reflected any measured indices of energy expenditure. The mean value for daily energy requirement was found to be 1.5 x BMR (89 J/kg per min) but with substantial inter-individual variation (SD 0-2 x BMR; 14 J/kg per min). The bias between measured TEE and TEE estimated (1.5 x BMR) from the various BMR predictions varied according to which equation was used (-10-+ 8% of the mean) with substantial 95 YO limits of agreement (28-30%of the mean). TEE and physical activity plus thermogenesis (TEE -BMR) were positively related to activities of daily living, but no relationships were apparent between these and perceived quality of life. It is concluded that, despite considerable inter-individual variability, national recommendations for energy requirements of elderly people are applicable to this randomly-selected group of free-living men over 75 years of age but that substantial variation exists when attempts are made to estimate TEE from measurements or predictions of BMR.

Type
energy expenditure in elderly men
Copyright
Copyright © The Nutrition Society 1996

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