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Energy requirements of women of reproductive age^1,2,3,4

¹ From the US Department of Agriculture/Agricultural Research Service Children’s Nutrition Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston.

Background: The energy requirements of women have been based on total energy expenditure (TEE) derived from the factorial approach or as multiples of basal metabolic rate (BMR).

Objective: This study was designed to reevaluate the energy requirements of healthy, moderately active underweight, normal-weight, and overweight women of reproductive age.

Design: The energy requirements of 116 women [n = 13 with a low body mass index (BMI), n = 70 with a normal BMI, and n = 33 with a high BMI] were estimated from TEE measured by the doubly labeled water method. Twenty-four–hour EE and BMR were measured by room respiration calorimetry, activity EE was estimated from nonbasal EE as TEE - BMR, and physical activity level was calculated as TEE/BMR. Body composition was derived from a multicomponent model. Fitness, strength, and physical activity level were assessed, and fasting serum indexes were measured.

Results: Energy requirements differed among the low-BMI (8.9 ± 0.9 MJ/d), normal-BMI (10.1 ± 1.4 MJ/d), and high-BMI (11.5 ± 1.9 MJ/d) groups (P = 0.02–0.001, all pairwise comparisons). Major predictors of BMR, 24-h EE, and TEE were weight, height, and body composition; minor predictors were fasting metabolic profile and fitness. Fat-free mass and fat mass accounted for the differences in EE seen between the BMI groups. The mean physical activity level of 1.86 suggested that the multiples of BMR used to estimate energy requirements have been underestimated.

Conclusion: Recommended energy intakes for healthy, moderately active women of reproductive age living in industrialized societies should be revised on the basis of TEE.Am J Clin Nutr 2003;77:–8.

Key Words: Energy requirements • total energy expenditure • basal metabolic rate • activity • body composition • doubly labeled water method • women

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