Long-term stability of metabolic rates in young adult males

The resting metabolic rates (RMRs) of 10 adult males of body mass index around 19 were estimated between 6-36 (mean 18.2 +/- 2.3) months of an earlier recording. There were no significant differences in the body weights, RMRs and respiratory quotients (RQ). The coefficients of variation (CV) of intra-individual differences in body weight and RMR were both 2.5 per cent. In those subjects who showed a change in body weight ie, greater than +/- 1 kg over a period of 22.0 +/- 3.0 months, the CV (4.3 per cent) of weight change was greater than the CV (1.9 per cent) of intra-individual differences in RMR.