PRECISION OF ANTHROPOMETRIC EQUATIONS TO ESTIMATE TOTAL ENERGY EXPENDITURE OF OLDER ADULTS WITH SARCOPENIA: A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY

Abstract

Purpose: The accuracy and errors of prediction of equations that estimate energy expenditure are unknown to seniors with sarcopenia. This study assessed the precision of predictive equations to estimate energy needs of sarcopenic seniors. Methods: Ninety-four community-dwelling older adults (female: 66; mean age: 75.9[5.7]) were tested for body dimensions derived from DXA. Performance tests and diagnosis of sarcopenia were performed. The total energy expenditure (TEE) of sarcopenic seniors (n=10) was measured by accelerometry and compared with three anthropometric equations: DRIs, Escott-Stump with upper (Escott-Stumpupp) and low energy margin (Escott-Stumplow). Results: Except for height, all other variables of body dimensions of sarcopenic seniors were smaller than non-sarcopenic ones (p<0.05). The slightly lower TEE values in the Escott-Stumplow equation were not different from accelerometry (-53kcal; t=0.606; p=0.560) but were overestimated by the DRIs (+358kcal; t=-3.163; p=0.011) and Escott-Stumpupp (+240kcal; t=-5.817; p<0.001), confirmed due to lack of agreement (Bland-Altman) with measured TEE. Conclusion: Smaller body dimensions of sarcopenic seniors suggest that their energy needs should be estimated from specific resources. The TEE assessed by the Escott-Stumplow equation was similar to that measured by accelerometry and therefore may be a good alternative for sarcopenic seniors where direct measurement of TEE is not possible.