Energy balance study in Singapore medical students.

Abstract

Energy cost of rest and various common daily activities was measured in 7 male and 16 female medical students by using a Max-Planck respirometer and a Lloyd's gas analysis apparatus. The average weight of male and female subjects during the course of the study was 67.3 +/- 14.2 and 51.2 +/- 5.1 kg, respectively. The average energy expenditure per day was estimated from a diary of activities for a period of 7 days. The average daily intake of energy was computed from food tables and based on weighed amounts of raw materials of food consumed over the same 7-day period when energy expenditure was determined. The average energy expenditure of rest and different activities was found to be significantly lower than the figures published for western subjects. The daily energy intake and expenditure were 2,138 +/- 217 kcal (9.0 +/- 0.9 MJ) and 1,894 +/- 168 kcal (8.0 +/- 0.7 MJ), respectively, in male medical students, giving a positive balance of 244 kcal (1.0 MJ). The values of the same in female medical students were 1,711 +/- 292 kcal (7.2 +/- 1.2 MJ) and 1,474 +/- 211 kcal (6.2 +/- 0.9 MJ) with a balance of 237 kcal (1.0 MJ).