Effect of age and gender on energy expenditure in common activities of daily living in a Chinese population

Abstract

Purpose. It is important to quantify the amount of energy expended in various common household tasks to provide objective information regarding physical activity recommendations in health promotion, weight management, or rehabilitation programs for older people with chronic diseases. These activities may be age/gender sensitive and culturally specific, and not included in current Compendium of Metabolic Equivalent (MET) values. This study measures the energy expenditure of commonly performed activities of daily living tasks in a Chinese population, examining age and gender differences.Method. Thirty younger adults (15 M, 15 F) and 78 older adults (26 M, 52 F) were recruited and energy expenditure was measured at rest and during activities using indirect calorimetry.Results. Energy expenditure (O2 consumption/min/Kg) was lower in subjects aged ≥60 years compared with those <60 years but they also spend more time completing the task. No gender differences were observed.Conclusion. New MET values are derived for these two populations. These values would be useful in planning rehabilitation programmes for Chinese subjects with chronic diseases.