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Objective: This study's objective was to develop models predicting the relative reduction in skeletal muscle (SM) mass during periods of voluntary calorie restriction (CR) and to validate model predictions in longitudinally monitored samples. Methods: The model development group included healthy nonexercising adults (n = 897) who had whole‐body SM mass measured with magnetic resonance imaging. Model predictions of relative SM changes with CR were evaluated in two longitudinal studies, one 12 to 14 weeks in duration (n = 74) and the other 12 months in duration (n = 26). Results: A series of SM prediction models were developed in a sample of 415 males and 482 females. Model‐predicted changes in SM mass relative to changes in body weight (i.e., ΔSM/Δbody weight) with a representative model were (mean ± SE) 0.26 ± 0.013 in males and 0.14 ± 0.007 in females (sex difference, p < 0.001). The actual mean proportions of weight loss as SM in the longitudinal studies were 0.23 ± 0.02/0.20 ± 0.06 in males and 0.10 ± 0.02/0.17 ± 0.03 in females, similar to model‐predicted values. Conclusions: Nonelderly males and females with overweight and obesity experience respective reductions in SM mass with voluntary CR in the absence of a structured exercise program of about 2 to 2.5 kg and 1 to 1.5 kg per 10‐kg weight loss, respectively. These estimates are predicted to be influenced by interactions between age and body mass index in males, a hypothesis that needs future testing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of this study was to validate two new whole-room indirfect calorimeters according to Room Indirect Calorimetry Operating and Reporting Standards (RICORS 1.0).Methods: For technical validation, 16 propane combustion tests were performed to determine accuracy and precision of energy expenditure (EE) and ventilation rates of oxygen (VO2 ), carbon dioxide (VCO2 ), and respiratory exchange ratio (VCO2 /VO2 ). For biological validation, eight participants (mean [SD], age 24.1 [2.5] years; BMI 24.3 [3.1] kg/m2 ) underwent four 24-hour protocols under highly standardized conditions: (1) isocaloric sedentary, (2) fasting sedentary, (3) isocaloric active, and (4) fasting active. Reliability (coefficients of variation [CV]) and minimal detectable changes (MDC) were calculated for 24-hour EE, sleeping metabolic rate (SMR), physical activity energy expenditure (PAEE), thermic effect of food (TEF), and macronutrient oxidation rates.Results: Technical validation showed high reliability and recovery rates for VO2 (0.75% and 100.8%, respectively), VCO2 (0.49% and 100.6%), and EE (0.54% and 98.2%). Biological validation revealed CV and MDC for active conditions of 1.4% and 4.3% for 24-hour EE, 1.7% and 5.9% for SMR, and 30.2% and 38.4% for TEF, as well as 5.8% and 10.5% for PAEE, respectively. Mean CV and MDC for macronutrient oxidation rates were 9.9% and 22.9%, respectively.Conclusions: The precision of 24-hour EE and SMR was high, whereas it was lower for PAEE and poor for TEF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adaptive thermogenesis (AT) is the mass‐independent decrease in energy expenditure (EE) in response to caloric restriction and weight loss. AT becomes manifest throughout all periods of weight loss and persists during subsequent weight maintenance. AT occurs in resting and nonresting energy expenditure as ATREE and ATNREE, respectively. ATREE appears in different phases of weight loss, each with likely different mechanisms. By contrast, during weight maintenance after weight loss, ATNREE exceeds ATREE. Some of the mechanisms of AT are known now and others are not. Future studies on AT will need an appropriate conceptual framework within which to design experiments and interpret results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Whole‐room indirect calorimeters (WRICs) provide accurate instruments for the measurement of respiratory exchange, energy expenditure, and macronutrient oxidation. Here, we aimed to determine the validity and reproducibility of a 7500 L WRIC for the measurement of ventilation rates and resting metabolic rate (RMR). Technical validation was performed with propane combustion tests (n = 10) whereas biological reproducibility was tested in healthy subjects (13 women, 6 men, mean ± SD age 39.6 ± 15.3) in two 60 min measurements separated by 24 h. Subjects followed a run‐in protocol prior to measurements. The coefficient of variation (CV) and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) were calculated for ventilation rates of O2 (VO2), CO2 (VCO2), the respiratory quotient (RQ; VCO2/VO2), and RMR. Technical validation showed good validity with CVs ranging from 0.67% for VO2 to 1.00% for energy expenditure. For biological reproducibility, CVs were 2.89% for VO2; 2.67% for VCO2; 1.95% for RQ; and 2.68% for RMR. With the exception of RQ (74%), ICCs were excellent for VO2 (94%), VCO2 (96%) and RMR (95%). Excluding participants that deviated from the run‐in protocol did not alter results. In conclusion, the 7500 L WRIC is technically valid and reproducible for ventilation rates and RMR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Energy turnover, defined as the average daily total metabolic rate, can be normalized for basal metabolic rate in order to compare physical activity level between individuals, whereas normalization of energy turnover for energy intake (energy flux) allows investigation of its impact on regulation of energy partitioning independent of energy balance. Appetite sensations better correspond to energy requirements at a high compared with a low energy turnover. Adaptation of energy intake to habitual energy turnover may, however, contribute to the risk of weight gain associated with accelerated growth, pregnancy, detraining in athletes, or after weight loss in people with obesity. The dose-response relationship between energy turnover and energy intake as well as the metabolic effects of energy turnover varies with the habitual level of physical activity and the etiology of energy turnover (e.g., cold-induced thermogenesis, growth, or lactation; aerobic vs. anaerobic exercise). Whether a high energy turnover due to physical activity or exercise may compensate for adverse effects of overfeeding or an unhealthy diet needs to be further investigated using the concept of energy flux. In summary, the beneficial effects of a high energy turnover on regulation of energy and macronutrient balance facilitate the prevention and treatment of obesity and associated metabolic risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The basis of heat generated by the human body has been a source of speculation and research for more than 2,000 years. Basal heat production, now usually referred to as resting energy expenditure (REE), is currently recognized as deriving from biochemical reactions at subcellular and cellular levels that are expressed in the energy expended by the body's 78 organs and tissues. These organs and tissues, and the 11 systems to which they belong, influence body size and shape. Connecting these subcellular-/cellular-level reactions to organs and tissues, and then on to body size and shape, provides a comprehensive understanding of individual differences in REE, a contemporary topic of interest in obesity research and clinical practice. This review critically examines these linkages, their association with widely used statistical and physiological REE prediction formulas, and often-unappreciated aspects of measuring basal heat production in humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aimed to explore the following: 1) the impact of Champ4Life's intervention on intuitive eating and food reward; and 2) associations between changes in eating behavior and changes in body composition. Methods: A total of 94 former athletes (mean [SD], BMI = 31.1 [4.3] kg/m2, age = 43.0 [9.4] years, 34% female) assigned to intervention (n = 49) and control groups (n = 45) underwent 4 months of active weight loss (WL) followed by 8 months of WL maintenance. Intuitive eating and food reward were assessed by the Intuitive Eating Scale and the Leeds Food Preference Questionnaire, respectively. Results: The WL was −4.8% (4.9%) and 0.3% (2.6%) for the intervention and control groups, respectively. Participants reported a decrease in fat bias for explicit/implicit wanting and explicit liking after 4 months and 1 year. For intuitive eating, the unconditional permission to eat decreased after 4 months, and the body–food choice congruence increased after 1 year. Changes in unconditional permission to eat and in body–food choice congruence were positively and negatively associated with both Δweight and with Δfat mass, respectively. Changes in explicit wanting for fat and taste bias were associated with Δweight. Conclusions: Food reward decreased after a moderate WL intervention. Participants successfully maintained their reduced weight, and most of the changes in eating behavior remained significant at the end of the follow‐up period. Lifestyle interventions aiming at WL should also consider intuitive eating and food reward. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Traditional diagnosis and understanding of the pathophysiology of obesity are based on excessive fat storage due to a chronically positive energy balance characterized by body mass index (BMI). Quantitative and qualitative analysis of lean and adipose tissue compartments by body composition analysis reveals that characterization of obesity as "overfat" does not facilitate a comprehensive understanding of obesity‐associated health risk. Instead of being related to fat mass, body composition characteristics underlying BMI‐associated prognosis may depend (i) on accelerated growth by a gain in lean mass or fat‐free mass (FFM) in children with early BMI rebound or adolescents with early puberty; (ii) on a low muscle mass in aging, associated chronic disease, or severe illness; and (iii) on impaired adipose tissue expandability with respect to cardiometabolic risk. It is therefore time to call the adipocentric paradigm of obesity into question and to avoid the use of BMI and body fat percentage. By contrast, obesity should be seen in face of a limited FFM/muscle mass together with a limited capacity of fat storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a study on a subgroup of the UK Biobank population in this issue of I Obesity i , the authors addressed the association of 180 blood metabolites (by nuclear magnetic resonance [NMR] spectrometry) with liver fat (by magnetic resonance imaging) assessed 5 years later [[1]]. Liver fat was associated with obesity, diabetes, and higher levels of apolipoprotein B, very low-density lipoprotein triglycerides, and fatty acids (including saturated fatty acids and monounsaturated fatty acids). REFERENCES 1 Friedrichs LG, Trichia E, Aguilar-Ramirez D, Preiss D. Metabolic profiling of MRI-measured liver fat in the UK Biobank. [Extracted from the article]

Objective: Chronic positive energy balance leads to obesity, and the "excess" weight is usually described as consisting solely of adipose tissue (AT) or its two components, fat and fat-free mass (nonfat cell mass, extracellular fluid). This study aimed to clarify the nature of "obesity" tissue.Methods: A total of 333 adults had AT, skin, skeletal muscle, bone, heart, liver, kidney, spleen, brain, and residual mass measured or derived using magnetic resonance imaging and dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. First, associations between these components and AT were examined by developing multiple regression models. Next, obesity-tissue composition was developed by deriving mean component mass differences between participant groups with normal weight (BMI < 25 kg/m2 ) and those with obesity (BMI > 29.9 kg/m2 ); respective resting energy expenditures and metabolizable energy and protein contents were calculated.Results: AT significantly predicted organ-tissue mass in 17 of 18 multiple regression models. In addition to AT and skeletal muscle, the following associations were found: skin, liver, and bone were main contributors to obesity-tissue composition; liver, kidneys, and heart to resting energy expenditure; and skin, liver, and bone to metabolizable energy and protein contents. A pronounced sexual dimorphism was present in all three models.Conclusions: Obesity is characterized not only by excess AT but by increases in the masses of other "companion" organs and tissues and their related metabolic properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Only a few studies have used objective measurements to investigate the relationship between sleep quality and obesity. These studies showed controversial results.Methods: Sleep efficiency was measured by Actiwatch 2 in 132 healthy students (age 23.3 ± 3.7 years, BMI 23.1 ± 4.1 kg/m(2) ) for 12 ± 3 nights, differentiating between work and free days. Physical activity, dietary habits, and autonomic function (heart rate variability, HRV) were analyzed as potential determinants of sleep quality and its relationship with body composition.Results: Sleep efficiency was 87.0% in women and 84.9% in men (P < 0.05) and was higher at free days when compared to work days in women (P < 0.05). Lower sleep efficiency was associated with a higher fat mass. This was true for sleep efficiency on work days in women [fat mass index (FMI): r = -0.35, P < 0.01] and for free days in men (FMI: r = -0.37, P < 0.05). Poor sleep efficiency was associated with less physical activity (r = 0.29, P < 0.05) and impaired HRV in women (r = 0.60, P < 0.05) and with a higher fat intake in men (r = -0.39, P < 0.05).Conclusions: Poor sleep efficiency was associated with higher fat mass. The relationship between sleep quality and fat mass differs between work and free days and may be explained by physical activity and autonomic function in women and dietary habits in men. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective We investigated the impact of detailed body composition on aerobic fitness to determine whether regional components of fat mass have independent effects on VO2submax, and whether VO2submax and detailed body composition independently explain variation in REE. Methods 71 healthy adults (80% female, 20% male, BMI 28.2-43.8 kg/m2) were investigated. Body composition was measured by the four-compartment model together with whole body magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to assess high and low metabolic rate organs and regional fat depots. VO2submax was estimated at 75% of predicted maximum heart rate. Results There was a strong association between VO2submax and FFM and all organ masses except for heart. Skeletal muscle mass accounted for 34.8% of the variance in VO2submax. In addition, subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) of extremities explained additional 14.4%. FFM and FM explained 71.3% of the variance in REE. Including the components of FFM and FM, the explained variance in REE increased by about 5.8%; skeletal muscle mass explained 70.0% of the variance in REE and kidney and liver masses explained additional 7.1%. VO2submax correlated with REE. Taking into account body composition, VO2submax did not add to the variance in REE. Conclusion FFM is a determinant of both VO2submax and REE. Modeling either REE or VO2submax from individual components of FFM, about 77.1% of variance in REE (by muscle, liver and kidneys mass) and 34.8% of variance in VO2submax (by skeletal muscle mass) could be explained. FM explained additional variance in REE, whereas SAT of extremities added to the variance in VO2submax only. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 27:397-406, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective We here studied how energy is allocated between brain and body both during the ontogenetic development from a child to an adult and during weight loss. Methods We investigated 180 normal weight female and male children and adolescents (aged 6.1-19.9 years) as well as 35 overweight adolescents undergoing weight reduction intervention. 52 normal weight and 42 obese adult women were used for comparison. We assessed brain mass by magnetic-resonance-imaging and body metabolism by indirect calorimetry. To study how energy is allocated between brain and body, we measured plasma insulin, since insulin fulfils the functions of a glucose allocating hormone, i.e., peripheral glucose uptake depends on insulin, central uptake does not. We used reference data obtained in the field of comparative biology. In a brain-body-plot, we calculated the distance between each subject and a reference mammal of comparable size and named the distance 'encephalic measure.' With higher encephalic measures, more energy is allocated to the brain. Results We found that ontogenetic development from a child to an adult was indicated by decreasing encephalic measures in females ( r = −0.729, P < 0.001) and increasing plasma insulin concentrations ( F = 6.6, P = 0.002 in females and F = 8.6, P < 0.001 in males). Weight loss of about 5 kg in females and about 9 kg in males resulted in reduced insulin concentrations and increased encephalic measures. Conclusion Our results indicate that the share of energy allocated to the brain increased with weight loss, but decreased during the ontogenetic development from childhood to adolescence. These developmental changes in brain-to-body energy allocation appear to be driven by increasing plasma insulin concentrations. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 25:725-732, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To develop a new geometrical index that combines height, waist circumference (WC), and hip circumference (HC) and relate this index to total and visceral body fat. Design and Methods Subject data were pooled from three databases that contained demographic, anthropometric, dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) measured fat mass, and magnetic resonance imaging measured visceral adipose tissue (VAT) volume. Two elliptical models of the human body were developed. Body roundness was calculated from the model using a well-established constant arising from the theory. Regression models based on eccentricity and other variables were used to predict %body fat and %VAT. Results A body roundness index (BRI) was derived to quantify the individual body shape in a height-independent manner. Body roundness slightly improved predictions of %body fat and %VAT compared to the traditional metrics of body mass index (BMI), WC, or HC. On this basis, healthy body roundness ranges were established. An automated graphical program simulating study results was placed at http://www.pbrc.edu/bodyroundness. Conclusion BRI, a new shape measure, is a predictor of %body fat and %VAT and can be applied as a visual tool for health status evaluations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: A classic association is the link between brain mass and body mass across mammals that has now been shown to derive from fat-free mass (FFM) and not fat mass (FM). This study aimed to establish for the first time the associations between human brain mass and body composition and to compare these relations with those established for liver as a reference organ. Methods: Subjects were 112 men and 148 women who had brain and liver mass measured by magnetic resonance imaging with FM and FFM measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Results: Brain mass scaled to height (H) with powers of ≤0.6 in men and women; liver mass and FFM both scaled similarly as H∼2. The fraction of FFM as brain thus scaled inversely to height ( P < 0.001) while liver mass/FFM was independent of height. After controlling for age, brain, and liver mass were associated with FFM while liver was additionally associated with FM (all models P ≤ 0.01). After controlling for age and sex, FFM accounted for ∼5% of the variance in brain mass while levels were substantially higher for liver mass (∼60%). Brain mass was significantly larger ( P < 0.001) in men than in women, even after controlling for age and FFM. Conclusions: As across mammals, human brain mass associates significantly, although weakly, with FFM and not FM; the fraction of FFM as brain relates inversely to height; brain differs in these relations from liver, another small high metabolic rate organ; and the sexual dimorphism in brain mass persists even after adjusting for age and FFM. Am. J. Hum. Biol., 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Balance methods reveal changes in body energy, nitrogen, macro- and micronutrients as well as fluid in response to different feeding regimens. Under metabolic ward conditions, where physical activity is restricted and activity and food intake are controlled, the errors of estimates of energy intake, energy expenditure, and energy losses are about 2, 4, and 2%, respectively. Balance techniques can be used to validate techniques of in vivo body composition analysis (BCA). This is necessary since immediate and transient changes in body composition in response to a change in diet adversely affect the validity of techniques by violating the assumptions underlying standard methods (i.e., a constant composition or hydration of lean mass). Using two compartment reference methods, like densitometry, dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) or deuterium dilution, changes in fat mass with caloric restriction and overfeeding can be measured with a minimal detectable change (MDC) of 1.0-2.0 kg. However, when compared against balance data, the validity of these techniques to measure short-term changes in body composition is poor. The noninvasive and rapid new quantitative magnetic resonance (QMR) technique has a high precision with a MDC of 0.18 kg of fat mass. The validity of QMR to assess short-term changes in fat mass is challenged by comparison to balance data. Today, techniques used for in vivo BCA should be related to steady state conditions only, while in the nonsteady state, the use of balance methods is recommended to assess short-term changes in body composition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Elia (1992) identified the specific resting metabolic rates (Ki) of major organs and tissues in young adults with normal weight: 200 for liver, 240 for brain, 440 for heart and kidneys, 13 for skeletal muscle, 4.5 for adipose tissue and 12 for residual mass (all units in kcal/kg per day). The aim of the present study was to assess the applicability of Elia's Ki values for obese adults. A sample of young women (n = 80) was divided into two groups, nonobese (BMI <29.9 kg/m2) and obese (BMI 30.0-43.2 kg/m2). This study was based on the mechanistic model: REE = σ (Ki × Ti), where REE is whole-body resting energy expenditure measured by indirect calorimetry and Ti is the mass of individual organs and tissues measured by magnetic resonance imaging. For each organ/tissue, the corresponding Elia's Ki value was analyzed respectively for nonobese and obese groups by using stepwise univariate regression analysis. Elia's Ki values were within the range of 95% confidence intervals (CIs) in the nonobese group. However, Elia's Ki values were outside the right boundaries of 95% CIs in the obese group and a corresponding obesity-adjusted coefficient was calculated as 0.98, indicating that Elia's values overestimate Ki by 2.0% in obese adults. Obesity-adjusted Ki values were 196 for liver, 235 for brain, 431 for heart and kidneys, 12.7 for skeletal muscle, 4.4 for adipose tissue, and 11.8 for residual mass. In conclusion, although Elia's Ki values were validated in nonobese women, obesity-adjustments are appropriate for application in obese women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent studies report a significant gain in bone mineral density (BMD) after diet-induced weight loss. This might be explained by a measurement artefact. We therefore investigated the impact of intra- and extra-osseous soft tissue composition on bone measurements by dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) in a longitudinal study of diet-induced weight loss and regain in 55 women and 17 men (19-46 years, BMI 28.2-46.8 kg/m2). Total and regional BMD were measured before and after 12.7 ± 2.2 week diet-induced weight loss and 6 months after significant weight regain (≥30%). Hydration of fat free mass (FFM) was assessed by a 3-compartment model. Skeletal muscle (SM) mass, extra-osseous adipose tissue, and bone marrow were measured by whole body magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Mean weight loss was −9.2 ± 4.4 kg (P < 0.001) and was followed by weight regain in a subgroup of 24 subjects (+6.3 ± 2.9 kg; P < 0.001). With weight loss, bone marrow and extra-osseous adipose tissue decreased whereas BMD increased at the total body, lumbar spine, and the legs (women only) but decreased at the pelvis (men only, all P < 0.05). The decrease in BMDpelvis correlated with the loss in visceral adipose tissue (VAT) (P < 0.05). Increases in BMDlegs were reversed after weight regain and inversely correlated with BMDlegs decreases. No other associations between changes in BMD and intra- or extra-osseous soft tissue composition were found. In conclusion, changes in extra-osseous soft tissue composition had a minor contribution to changes in BMD with weight loss and decreases in bone marrow adipose tissue (BMAT) were not related to changes in BMD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the results of a research aimed at comparing men's and women's specific resting metabolic rates (Ki) of major organs and tissues in non-obese subjects aged 20- 49 years. It cites the previous Ki values submitted by Elia in 1992 who measured and evaluated whole body resting energy expenditure (REE) rates, noting that gender influences on such Ki values were not established. The study noted that men exhibited higher values than women, thus validating Elia's earlier data.

Pericardial adipose tissue (PAT) is positively associated with fatty liver and obesity-related insulin resistance. Because PAT is a well-known marker of visceral adiposity, we investigated the impact of weight loss on PAT and its relationship with liver fat and insulin sensitivity independently of body fat distribution. Thirty overweight nondiabetic women (BMI 28.2-46.8 kg/m2, 22-41 years) followed a 14.2 ± 4-weeks low-calorie diet. PAT, abdominal subcutaneous (SAT), and visceral fat volumes (VAT) were measured by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), total fat mass, trunk, and leg fat by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and intrahepatocellular lipids (IHCL) by (1)H-magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp (M) and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMAIR) were used to assess insulin sensitivity or insulin resistance. At baseline, PAT correlated with VAT (r = 0.82; P < 0.001), IHCL (r = 0.46), HOMAIR (r = 0.46), and M value (r = −0.40; all P < 0.05). During intervention, body weight decreased by −8.5%, accompanied by decreases of -12% PAT, −13% VAT, −44% IHCL, −10% HOMA2-%B, and +24% as well as +15% increases in HOMA2-%S and M, respectively. Decreases in PAT were only correlated with baseline PAT and the loss in VAT (r = −0.56; P < 0.01; r = 0.42; P < 0.05) but no associations with liver fat or indexes of insulin sensitivity were observed. Improvements in HOMAIR and HOMA2-%B were only related to the decrease in IHCL (r = 0.62, P < 0.01; r = 0.65, P = 0.002) and decreases in IHCL only correlated with the decrease in VAT (r = 0.61, P = 0.004). In conclusion, cross-sectionally PAT is correlated with VAT, liver fat, and insulin resistance. Longitudinally, the association between PAT and insulin resistance was lost suggesting no causal relationship between the two. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study on energy gain and energy gap in normal-weight children in relation to longitudinal data from the Kiel Obesity Prevention Study (KOPS). In the study, normal-weight children in KOPS were divided into two groups and followed from age 6 to 10, with body weight measured using a calibrated digital scale and body composition recorded with bioelectrical impedance analyzer. The researchers conclude that being overweight was associated with higher excessive energy gain.

The article provides information on a study which evaluated the 4-year outcome of a school-based health promotion on weight status as part of the Kiel Obesity Prevention Study in Kiel, North Germany. Children at 6 and 10 years of age were assessed between 1996 and 2005 in 32 primary schools in Kiel. The authors conclude that a school-based health promotion program has sustainable effects on remission and incidence of overweight in children.

Objectives: The specific resting metabolic rates (K(i) , in kcal/kg per day) of major organs and tissues in the Reference Man were suggested in 1992 by Elia: 200 for liver, 240 for brain, 440 for heart and kidneys, 13 for skeletal muscle, 4.5 for adipose tissue and 12 for the residual mass. However, it is unknown whether gender influences the K(i) values. The aim of the present study was to compare the K(i) values observed in nonelderly nonobese men to the corresponding values in women., Methods: Elia's K(i) values were evaluated based on a mechanistic model: REE = Σ(K(i) × T(i) ), where REE is whole-body resting energy expenditure measured by indirect calorimetry and T(i) is the mass of major organs and tissues measured by magnetic resonance imaging. Marginal 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the model-estimated K(i) values were calculated by stepwise univariate regression analysis. Subjects were nonelderly (age 20-49 years) nonobese (BMI 18.5-29.9 kg/m(2) ) men (n = 49) and women (n = 57)., Results: The measured REE (REEm) and the mass of major organs and skeletal muscle were all greater in the men than in women. The predicted REE by Elia's K(i) values were correlated with REEm in men (r = 0.87) and women (r = 0.86, both P < 0.001). Elia's K(i) values were within the range of 95% CIs for both men and women groups, revealing that gender adjustment is not necessary., Conclusions: Elia's proposed adult K(i) values are valid in both nonelderly nonobese men and women. Further studies are needed to explore the potential influences of age and obesity on K(i) values in humans., (Copyright © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.)