Variation in Total Energy Expenditure in Humans

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to review current data regarding the factors contributing to variability in total energy expenditure (TEE) among humans. Variation arising from within and between individuals and between study groups will be considered. For within‐ subject variation, issues relating to experimental and theoretical measurement error will be considered in addition to inherent physiological variation. The literature reporting TEE in various study groups is reviewed, highlighting deficiencies in current comparison methods, and a framework by which TEE can be compared between studies and populations is suggested. For between‐subject variation, the effects of differences in body composition, obesity, age and gender upon variation in TEE are examined. Finally, data will be reviewed relating to changes in TEE in response to external manipulation (e.g., activity, overfeeding, stress).