Fasting respiratory quotient as a predictor of weight changes in non-obese women

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To detect predictive variables of weight changes in non-obese women. DESIGN: Three year follow-up study. SUBJECTS: Fifty-eight women (age 40.0±12.8 y, height 159±7 cm, weight 62.5±9.6 kg and body mass index ((BMI) 24.7±3.7 kg/m²). MEASUREMENTS: At baseline, basal metabolic rate (BMR) and respiratory quotient (RQ) by indirect calorimetry. Weight and BMI at baseline and after 3 y. RESULTS: In both univariate and multivariate analyses, age and RQ at baseline were significant predictors (P<0.05) of subsequent changes in weight and BMI. CONCLUSION: In non-obese women, RQ and age are independent predictors of subsequent weight changes.