In non-obese individuals, what is the prediction accuracy and maximum overestimation and understimation errors compared to measured resting metabolic rate when using the WHO/FAO/UNU formula?

Conclusion Statement

Individual prediction accuracy within +/- 10% is not reported for non-obese U.S.-residing adults using the World Health Organization/ Food & Agricultural Organization/United Nations University (WHO/FAO/UNU) equation.

Evidence Summary

3/29/2005

Quality of Reviewed Studies

The WHO/FAO/UNU equation has been tested for prediction accuracy in five U.S. and Canadian-residing populations (Arciero, Arciero, Case, Garrel and Taaffe). International studies represented Italy (Siervo, 2003; Scalfi, 1993 and Censi, 1998) and Germany (Luhrman. 2002). Of the eight studies, four instituted a methodologically sound standardized protocol for measuring indirect calorimetry.

Individual Errors

Garrel studied 67 (39 male, 28 female) normal weight healthy individuals and found that the WHO/FAO/UNU equation formula predicted RMR within 10% of the measured value for 100% of the subjects. However, standard errors reported are unclear and may lead to inaccurate conclusions and were not used in the final Conclusion Statement.

Quality Rating Summary
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Worksheets

Arciero PJ, Goran MI, Gardner AM, Ades PA, Tyzbir RS, Poehlman ET. A practical equation to predict resting metabolic rate in older females. J Am Geriatr Soc. 1993; 41 (4): 389-395.

Arciero PJ, Goran MI, Gardner AW, Ades PA, Tyzbir RS, Poehlman ET. A practical equation to predict resting metabolic rate in older men. Metabolism. 1993; 42 (8): 950-957.

Case KO, Brahler CJ, Heiss C. Resting energy expenditures in Asian women measured by indirect calorimetry are lower than expenditures calculated from prediction equations. J Am Diet Assoc. 1997; 97(11): 1,288-1,292.

Censi L, Totai E, Pastore G, Ferro-Luzzi A. The basal metabolic rate and energy cost of standardized walking of short and tall men. Eur J Clin Nutr. 1998;52(6):441-446.

Garrel DR, Jobin N, deJonge LHM. Should we still use the Harris and Benedict equations? Nutr Clin Prac 1996; 11: 99-103.

Ismail MN, Ng KK, Chee SS, Roslee R, Zawiah H. Predictive equations for the estimation of basal metabolic rate in Malaysian adults. Mal J Nutr. 1998;4:81-90.

Leung R, Woo J, Chan D, Tang N. Validation of prediction equations for basal metabolic rate in Chinese subjects. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2000;54(7):551-554.

Luhrman PM, Herbert BM, Krems C, Neuhauser-Berthold M. A new equation especially developed for predicting resting metabolic rate in the elderly for easy use in practice. Eur J Nutr. 2002;41(3):108-113.

Scalfi L, Coltorti A, Sapio C, DiBiase G, Borrelli R, Contaldo F. Predicted and measured resting energy expenditure in healthy young women. Clin Nutr. 1993;12:1-7.

Taaffe DR, Thompson J, Butterfield G, Marcus R. Accuracy of equations to predict basal metabolic rate in older women. J Am Diet Assoc. 1995; 95 (12): 1,387-1,392.

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