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Updated: Jul 12, 2025

Determining Basal Energy Expenditure and the Capacity of Thermogenic Adipocytes to Expend Energy in Obese Mice
Published on: November 11, 2021
Estimates of Resting Energy Expenditure and Total Energy Expenditure Using Predictive Equations for Individuals After
Mateus L Macena1,2, André E Silva Júnior3,4, Jennifer M Melo1
1Laboratório de Nutrição e Metabolismo (LANUM), Faculdade de Nutrição, Universidade Federal de Alagoas, Maceió, AL, 57072-970, Brazil.
Purpose:
Patients after metabolic bariatric surgery (MBS) require attention to maintain energy balance and avoid weight regain. Predictive equations for resting energy expenditure (REE) and total energy expenditure (TEE) are needed since gold standard methods like calorimetry and doubly labeled water are rarely available in routine clinical practice. This study aimed to determine which predictive equation for REE and TEE has the lowest bias in subjects after MBS.
Methods:
MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, and CENTRAL searches were performed. Meta-analyses were performed with the data calculated by the predictive equations and measured by the gold standard methods for those equations that had at least two studies with these data. The DerSimonian and Laird random-effects model and the I2 statistic were used to quantify heterogeneity in the quantitative analyses. The risk of bias was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal checklist.
Results:
Seven studies were included. The present study found that the Mifflin St. Jeor (1990) equation had the lowest bias (mean difference = - 39.71 kcal [95%CI = - 128.97; 49.55]) for calculating REE in post-BS individuals. The Harris-Benedict (1919) equation also yielded satisfactory results (mean difference = - 54.60 kcal [95%CI = - 87.92; - 21.28]).
Conclusion:
The predictive equation of Mifflin St. Jeor (1990) was the one that showed the lowest bias for calculating the REE of patients following MBS.
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