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[Influence of energy expenditure on childhood obesity]
M Paz Cerezo1, C Sierra Salinas, L del Río Mapelli
1Unidad de Gastroenterología y Nutrición Pediátrica. Departamento de Pediatría. Hospital Materno-Infantil. Málaga. España.
Insights
Resting energy expenditure (REE) is higher in obese children and boys. Obese children also show increased fat oxidation and lower carbohydrate oxidation compared to non-obese peers.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Human Metabolism
- Nutritional Science
Context:
- Childhood obesity is a growing global health concern.
- Understanding energy metabolism is crucial for managing obesity.
- Differences in resting energy expenditure (REE) and substrate oxidation exist between sexes and weight statuses in children.
Purpose:
- To investigate sex-based differences in REE and substrate oxidation in children.
- To compare REE and substrate oxidation between obese and non-obese children.
- To identify factors influencing energy expenditure in pediatric populations.
Summary:
- This study analyzed 71 children (39 obese, 32 non-obese), measuring energy expenditure and substrate oxidation via indirect calorimetry.
- Adjusted REE was higher in boys than girls. Obese children exhibited significantly higher REE than non-obese children.
- Obese children showed increased fat oxidation, decreased carbohydrate oxidation, and a lower respiratory quotient compared to non-obese children.
Impact:
- Findings highlight distinct metabolic profiles in obese children, suggesting altered substrate utilization.
- Provides insights into sex-specific energy expenditure patterns in children.
- Informs potential targeted nutritional and lifestyle interventions for pediatric obesity management.
Objectives:
To study differences in resting energy expenditure (REE) according to its determining factors (sex, weight, body fat mass, lean body mass) and in the oxidation of energy substrates in obese and non-obese children.
Patients And Methods:
We studied 71 children (39 obese and 32 non-obese) aged from 4.1 to 13.6 years. The male/female ratio was 34/37. Energy expenditure (EE) was measured by using open circuit indirect calorimetry. The oxidation of energy substrates was calculated from oxygen consumption, carbon dioxide production, and urinary nitrogen excretion from urea. Body composition was determined by anthropometry.
Results:
REE (kcal/day), adjusted for anthropometric parameters and body composition, was higher in boys than in girls. The absolute REE was significantly higher in obese than in non-obese children (1512.82 6 234.47 vs 1172.59 6 190.20) and was higher or the same when adjusted for its determinants. Compared with the non-obese group, the obese group presented a significantly higher percentage of fat oxidation (57.15 6 10.68 vs 51.08 6 13.61, p 5 0.04), a lower percentage of carbohydrate oxidation (30.10 6 9.85 vs 36.34 6 13.61, p 5 0.03) and a lower respiratory quotient (0.79 6 0.03 vs 0.82 6 0.04, p 5 0.02). No differences were found between male and female subjects in the percentages of carbohydrate, fat, and protein oxidation.
Conclusions:
We obtained the followings conclusions: a) When adjusted for anthropometric measurements and body composition, REE was significantly higher in boys than in girls; b) REE was higher in obese than in non-obese children, after adjustment for lean body mass; and c) Compared with the control group, obese children presented a higher percentage of fat oxidation, a lower percentage of carbohydrate oxidation, and a lower respiratory quotient.