Resting metabolic rate of elderly Vietnamese.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To evaluate the FAO/WHO/UNU equations for predicting resting metabolic rate (RMR) in elderly Vietnamese.

METHODS: A cross-sectional study involving healthy and elderly subjects was carried out at the Basic Nutrition Department, National Institute of Nutrition, Vietnam. A total of 75 subjects who had a normal body mass index (BMI) were divided into two groups according to sex. The RMR was measured by indirect calorimetry and anthropometric indices were recorded. Equations derived by linear regression of RMR and body weight were compared to the FAO/WHO/UNU (1985) predictive equations.

RESULTS: The mean age of males and females were 65.03 +/- 4.0 and 66.48 +/- 4.61 years, respectively. Mean RMRs (MJ/kg/day) were 0.0963 +/- 0.0121 for males and 0.0925 +/- 0.0117 for females. Compared to the FAO/WHO/UNU equations, our findings were 10.9 and 11.1% lower in males and females, respectively (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that the FAO/WHO/UNU equations may overestimate RMR in elderly Vietnamese. Further studies to find out the most appropriate equation or to establish new predictive equations for RMR in elderly Vietnamese should be conducted.