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Diminished meal-induced thermogenesis in elderly man.
1Department of Surgery, Huddinge University Hospital, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.
Clinical Physiology (Oxford, England)
|September 1, 1990
Summary
The thermogenic response to a mixed meal decreases with age in healthy men. This diminished meal-induced thermogenesis may explain lower nutrient needs in older adults.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Human Physiology
- Metabolism
Background:
- Aging is associated with physiological changes that can affect energy balance.
- Understanding age-related metabolic shifts is crucial for optimizing nutritional recommendations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of age on the thermogenic response following a mixed meal in healthy males.
- To determine if age influences the body's energy expenditure after food consumption.
Main Methods:
- Twenty-five healthy males were divided into young, middle-aged, and elderly groups.
- Continuous indirect calorimetry was used to measure basal and postprandial energy expenditure for 3 hours after a standardized liquid meal.
Main Results:
- Resting energy expenditure was significantly lower in elderly men compared to younger men, both in absolute values and relative to body size.
- The postprandial thermogenic response, measured as the percentage increase in energy expenditure above basal levels, was significantly reduced in middle-aged and elderly men compared to young men.
- The thermogenic response was 28.6% in young, 24.2% in middle-aged, and 21.1% in elderly men.
Conclusions:
- The thermogenic response to a mixed meal declines with advancing age in healthy men.
- Reduced meal-induced thermogenesis in older adults may contribute to lower overall energy requirements.
- These findings suggest potential implications for dietary planning and nutritional support in the elderly population.