Valtueña S, Blanch S, Barenys M, Solà R, Salas-Salvadó J
Human Nutrition Unit, Sant Joan Hospital, Rovira i Virgili University, Reus, Spain.
Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord. 1995 Feb;19(2):119-25.
The aim of this study was to assess changes in resting energy expenditure (REE) related to changes in fat free mass (FFM) in nine morbid obese (BMI 43 +/- 5.1 kg/m2) hospitalised females on VLCD. REE was measured by 30 min indirect calorimetry before and after 28 days of hospitalisation. Changes in FFM were assessed by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), hydrostatic weighing (HW) and nitrogen balance (N). REE decreased 11.5% from 7.8 +/- 1.0 to 6.9 +/- 0.8 MJ/d. Total weight loss was 8.4 +/- 1.9 kg or 7.4% with an estimated FFM loss of 3.4 +/- 1.8 (BIA), 2.9 +/- 1.9 (HW) and 1.8 +/- 1.0 (N). As the fall in REE was larger than the loss of FFM, it is concluded that morbid obese patients develop an energy saving adaptation during rapid weight loss.
