A re-examination of basal metabolic rate predictive equations: the importance of geographic origin of subjects in sample selection.

OBJECTIVE

The study of geographic differences in basal metabolic rate (BMR).

DESIGN

A retrospective analysis of two large BMR databases, namely those of Schofield et al. (1985; Hum. Nutr.: Clin. Nutr. 39C, Suppl. 1, 5-41) and Henry and Rees (1988; Comparative nutrition, pp. 149-159).

SUBJECTS

The pooled database from the above sources comprised 7737 individual measurements. The largest sub-set of males and females were the 18-30-year-olds (n = 2999 and n = 874 respectively), this group was selected for analysis.

INTERVENTION

Least-squares linear regression equations were derived for groups of subjects according to the most common geographic regions represented in the data (North Europeans and Americans, Italians, Indians and Chinese). The method of Rees & Henry (1988) was used to compare these equations over a range of body weights.

RESULTS

Regression equations for Italian males and females were significantly greater than other groups over almost the entire body weight range tested.

CONCLUSIONS

Italian subjects comprise 45% of the Schofield et al. (1985) database which may therefore be biased and in need of reassessment.