Meta-analysis of resting metabolic rate in formerly obese subjects
- 1 June 1999
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Elsevier BV in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
- Vol. 69 (6), 1117-1122
- https://doi.org/10.1093/ajcn/69.6.1117
Abstract
Background: A low resting metabolic rate (RMR) for a given body size and composition is partly genetically determined and has been suggested to be a risk factor for weight gain. Moreover, a low relative RMR has been reported in some, but not all, studies of formerly obese persons. The inconsistent reports may be due to a lack of statistical power to detect small differences in RMR and improper adjustment for body size and composition. Objective: We conducted a meta-analysis based on published studies of RMR in formerly obese persons [body mass index (in kg/m2) ≤27] and matched control subjects who had never been obese. Design: We performed both an individual subject data meta-analysis and a traditional meta-analysis. Results: The individual subject data meta-analysis included 124 formerly obese and 121 control subjects. RMR adjusted for differences in fat-free mass and fat mass was 2.9% lower in formerly obese subjects than in control subjects (P = 0.09). A low relative RMR (>1 SD below the mean of the control group) was found in 3.3% of the control subjects and in 15.3% of the formerly obese subjects [difference: 12% (95% CI: 4.7%, 19.3%); P < 0.003]. The traditional meta-analysis was based on 12 studies (including 94 formerly obese and 99 control subjects) and included 3 studies not represented in the individual subject data analysis. In this analysis, relative RMR was lower in the formerly obese group than in the control group by 5.1% (95% CI: 1.7%, 8.6%). Conclusions: Formerly obese subjects had a 3–5% lower mean relative RMR than control subjects; the difference could be explained by a low RMR being more frequent among the formerly obese subjects than among the control subjects. Whether the cause of the low RMR is genetic or acquired, the existence of a low RMR is likely to contribute to the high rate of weight regain in formerly obese persons.Keywords
This publication has 23 references indexed in Scilit:
- Low resting metabolic rate in subjects predisposed to obesity: a role for thyroid statusThe American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 1996
- Energy metabolism in weight-stable postobese individualsThe American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 1995
- Insulin Sensitivity in Post-Obese WomenClinical Science, 1994
- The Cost of ObesityPharmacoEconomics, 1994
- Total and resting energy expenditure in obese women reduced to ideal body weight.JCI Insight, 1993
- A 24-h energy expenditure study on reduced-obese and nonobese women: effect of β-blockadeThe American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 1992
- Genetic effect in resting and exercise metabolic ratesMetabolism, 1989
- Reduced Rate of Energy Expenditure as a Risk Factor for Body-Weight GainNew England Journal of Medicine, 1988
- Familial Dependence of the Resting Metabolic RateNew England Journal of Medicine, 1986
- Energy expenditure and postprandial thermogenesis in obese women before and after weight lossThe American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 1983