Dietary energy requirements of young adult women in China by the doubly labeled water method.

OBJECTIVE

The current recommendations on dietary energy requirements in China have been based on total energy expenditure (TEE) derived from theoretical factorial calculations expressed as multiples of basal energy expenditure (BEE). Few direct measurements of TEE and BEE have been conducted in Chinese people. This study was designed to measure the TEE and BEE of healthy, light active women of normal body weight living in China, and to evaluate the recommendations on dietary energy requirements by comparing the data correspondingly.

DESIGN

16 healthy female adults aged 22.1 ± 1.2 y with a body mass index (in kg/m2) of 20.4 ± 1.7 were selected. Under well-controlled conditions, TEEs were determined by using the doubly labeled water method. At the same time, BEEs were measured by using indirect calorimetry.

RESULTS

Measured TEE was 1380 ± 118 kcal/d, which was close to the value of energy intake (1382 ± 96 kcal/d). Comparing the measured TEE with the recommended (Chinese recommended value for this group is 2100 kcal/d), the recommended was substantially higher than the measured by 15% or so. Meanwhile, the calculated BEE (1230 ± 65 kcal/d) by using the adjusted Schofield equation proposed by the Chinese Nutrition Society was significantly higher (p < 0.001) than the measured BEE (1130 ± 110 kcal/d), by 9% or so.

CONCLUSION

Current recommended energy intake for young adult women may need to be revised on the basis of measured TEE and BEE.