Effects of fat mass and body fat distribution on resting metabolic rate in the elderly

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between resting metabolic rate (RMR) and fat-free mass, fat mass, and body fat distribution in 164 women (age 60 to 85 years; body mass index [BMI], 18.5 to 35.6 kg/m2) and 98 men (age 60 to 85 years; BMI, 18.3 to 36.5 kg/m2). After an overnight fast, RMR was assessed by indirect calorimetry and body composition by bioelectrical impedance analysis. Waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) was used to determine fat distribution. Results from linear regression analysis showed that most of the variance in RMR could be attributed to fat-free mass in women (R2 = 0.54) and men (R2 = 0.44), respectively. Fat mass explained an additional 3% and 2% of the variability in RMR in women and men, respectively. In stepwise multiple regression analysis, considering body composition and fat distribution, only fat-free mass and WHR were significant predictors of RMR in both sexes. In addition to fat-free mass, in women 6% and in men 8% of the variability in RMR was attributable to WHR. Grouping subjects according to their WHR, RMR, and RMR adjusted for fat-free mass and fat mass showed a significant increase with increasing WHR in both sexes. Results indicate that RMR not only depends on fat-free mass but also is influenced by fat mass, especially by fat distribution. These findings support our hypothesis of an elevated RMR with increasing abdominal body fat as a direct consequence of its greater metabolic activity.