Measured Versus Predicted Resting Metabolic Rate in Obese Diabetic and Obese Non-Diabetic Subjects

Predictive equations provide the basis for estimating energy needs for different individuals; however, accuracy of these equations has been questioned in tropical countries. The current study determined which of the commonly used predictive equations is most suitable for estimating resting metabolic rate (RMR) in a random sample of obese diabetic and obese non-diabetic subjects in Sudan. Two matched samples of 40 obese diabetic and 40 obese non-diabetic subjects, aged 35 to 50 years old, were randomly selected. The PowerLab 8/35 with a gas analyzer (ADInstruments, Castle Hill Australia) was used for measurement of O2 consumption and CO2 production for each participant. RMR was derived from these parameters using Weir’s formula. Three predictive equations (Harris-Benedict, Mifflin and Food and Agriculture Organization/ World Health Organization/ United Nations University (FAO/WHO/UNU) were compared with the measured RMR to determine their accuracy in predicting RMR for the two groups. Unlike the other two equations, Mifflin’s equation showed insignificant statistical difference between measured and predicted RMR in obese diabetic patients; however, none of the three equations gave accurate results for the obese non-diabetic individuals. It is recommended that a new predictive equation should be developed for estimating RMR in the obese non-diabetic individuals.