Indirect calorimetry: comparison of hood and mask systems for measuring resting energy expenditure in healthy volunteers.

Controversy exists as to the validity and reliability of hood and mask systems in measuring indirect calorimetry. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy and reproducibility of repeat measurements of resting energy expenditure (REE) in volunteers. Paired REE measurements were performed in 23 subjects after an overnight fast using hood and mask systems. Lean body mass was calculated from four skinfold measurements and body weight determinations. Data were normalized to body weight and lean body mass and were calculated as percent predicted REE in paired tests taken within 5 minutes on the same subject. No significant difference in mean REE was noted between hood and mask systems. Linear regression analysis showed a strong positive correlation (r = 0.91, p less than 0.001) between hood and mask measurements of REE.