[Basal metabolic rate is overestimated by predictive equation in college-age women of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil].

Since the World Health Organization suggested predictive equations for basal metabolic rate (BMR) in 1985 there has been great interest in their validity in different populations worldwide. It has been shown that these equations overestimate BMR in some populations, particularly the ones living in the tropics. There is limited new information on BMR in segments of the Brazilian population. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to compare measured with estimated BMR using some published predictive equations in 50 college students from Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. BMR was measured by indirect calorimetry and the predictive equations used were the ones published by: FAO/WHO/UNU (1985); Harris & Benedict (1919), and Henry & Rees (1991). Estimated BMRs were significantly greater than measured BMR (p < 0.05). Overestimation was greatest with the equation published by Harris & Benedict (18.9%) followed by the ones by FAO/WHO/UNU (12.5%) and Henry & Rees (7.2%). Body composition did not correlate with the overestimation of BMR. More data are necessary so that appropriate predictive equations can be developed for the Brazilian population.