The Oxford Brookes basal metabolic rate database--a reanalysis

Area of Science:

• Physiology
• Metabolism
• Anthropometry

Background:

• Basal metabolic rate (BMR) is a crucial indicator of energy expenditure.
• Existing BMR prediction equations often lack comprehensive age ranges or diverse populations.
• Accurate BMR estimation is vital for clinical and research applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop novel prediction equations for basal metabolic rate (BMR).
• To create equations applicable across the entire lifespan, from birth to old age.
• To incorporate anthropometric factors like weight and height into BMR predictions.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a large cross-sectional dataset (n=13,910) from the Oxford Brookes BMR database.
• Included data spanning 1914-2001, covering diverse ages, sexes, and ethnicities.
• Employed absolute and proportional regression models for equation development.

Main Results:

• Developed sex-specific prediction equations for BMR based on weight and height.
• Observed a rapid increase in BMR until age 15, followed by a gradual decline in adulthood.
• Found BMR increased with weight (6%) and height (1.4%) per standard deviation, with variations across ethnicities.

Conclusions:

• Prediction equations can be formulated without arbitrary age group divisions.
• Significant heterogeneity among publications suggests undocumented methodological differences.
• The developed equations offer a more unified approach to BMR prediction.