ENERGY-INTAKE AND ENERGY-EXPENDITURE IN PREPUBERTAL MALES WITH ASTHMA

This study aimed to measure energy intake (EI) and total energy expend iture (TEE) of asthmatic males and to validate diet history as a metho d of estimating their energy requirements. EI was assessed by dietary history and TEE by the heart-rate monitoring method in a group of asth matic and nonasthmatic males. Resting energy expenditure (REE) adjuste d for fat-free mass was higher in asthmatic than in nonasthmatic males (5,037 versus 4,839 kJ.day(,)(-1) p<0.05). TEE (93+/-1.8 versus 8.4+/ -1.4 MJ.day(-1), respectively; p=NS) and EI (9.2+/-1.5 versus 8.8+/-1. 5 MJ.day(-1), respectively, p=NS) were not statistically different in asthmatic and nonasthmatic male. EI was not statistically different fr om TEE in both groups of males, Asthmatic males showed an acceptable a greement between TEE and EI at the individual level (range of agreemen t: -3.2 to 2.9 MJ.day-1), and a good agreement at the group level (95% confidence interval for the bias, -1.1 to 0.8 MJ.day(-1)). Males with mild-to-moderate asthma have a higher metabolic activity per unit fat -free mass than nonasthmatic males. This increased requirement is appa rently well compensated by an adequate energy intake. Diet history is a suitable method for estimating energy requirements in males with mil d-to-moderate asthma.