Resting Energy Expenditure and Related Factors in 6- to 9-Year-Old Southern African Children of Diverse Population Groups.

Adeline Pretorius,Friedeburg Wenhold,Paola Wood,Piet Becker

doi:10.3390/nu13061983

Abstract

Lower resting energy expenditure (REE) may partially explain the disproportionate prevalence of overweight/obesity among black African women. As no previous studies have investigated the REE of Southern African (South. Afr.) children, we aimed to determine, by sex and population group, the REE of 6- to 9-year-old urban school children. In a cross-sectional study with quota sampling, REE was measured with indirect calorimetry (IC). Confounders considered were: body composition (BC) (fat-free mass (FFM), FFM index, fat mass (FM), FM index), assessed using multifrequency bioelectrical impedance analysis, and physical activity (PA) measured with a pedometer. Multivariate regression was used to calculate REE adjusted for phenotypes (BC, z-scores of weight-for-age, height-for-age, body mass index-for-age) and PA. Sex and population differences in REE were determined with two-way ANOVA. Ninety-four healthy children (59.6% girls; 52.1% black) with similar socioeconomic status and PA opportunities participated. Despite BC variations, sex differences in REE were not significant (41 kcal/day; P = 0.375). The REE of black participants was lower than of white (146 kcal/day; P = 0.002). When adjusted for FFM and HFA z-score, the differences in REE declined but remained clinically meaningful at 91 kcal/day (P = 0.039) and 82 kcal/day (P = 0.108), respectively. We recommend the development of population-specific REE prediction equations for South. Afr. children.

Highlights

IntroductionFor young children, being overweight or obese can have direct physical and mental health effects and is considered a major risk factor for diet-related non-communicable diseases (NCDs) during adulthood [2]
Overnutrition is a rising epidemic worldwide and children are increasingly affected [1].For young children, being overweight or obese can have direct physical and mental health effects and is considered a major risk factor for diet-related non-communicable diseases (NCDs) during adulthood [2]
Many studies [8,9,10,11,12,13] suggest that lower Resting energy expenditure (REE) may contribute to the higher prevalence of overweight and obesity in black African/African American individuals

Summary

Introduction

For young children, being overweight or obese can have direct physical and mental health effects and is considered a major risk factor for diet-related non-communicable diseases (NCDs) during adulthood [2]. Overweight and obesity affect all populations, some population groups, e.g., black Africans and African Americans, may be disproportionally affected [3,4]. Since children are the future generation, population-specific and timely nutrition and physical activity (PA) intervention will contribute to the future health of all population groups [2]. Many studies [8,9,10,11,12,13] suggest that lower REE may contribute to the higher prevalence of overweight and obesity in black African/African American individuals

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion