A COMPILATION OF TOTAL DAILY ENERGY EXPENDITURES AND BODY WEIGHTS IN HEALTHY-ADULTS

Measurements of total energy expenditure (TEE) by the doubly labeled w ater method were compiled from 22 studies to identify the range of var iation and significant determinants of energy requirements in healthy adults. The 126 male and 173 female subjects (aged 18-78 y) were separ ated into four groups: athletes, Pima Indians, people in developing co untries, and others. The groups differed significantly (P < 0.001) wit h respect to TEE, TEE/BMR, TEE - BMR divided by weight, and TEE - BMR. Stepwise multiple regression demonstrated that fat-free mass (FFM) an d age are significant variables that can explain 65% of the variation in TEE. These data demonstrate that total daily energy expenditure var ies dramatically among healthy, free-living adults. The relationship b etween body fatness and nonbasal energy expenditure was negative at hi gh energy outputs but considerable variation in body fatness was prese nt among sedentary individuals, suggesting that a low rate of nonbasal energy expenditure is a permissive factor for obesity.