Estimation of daily energy needs with the FAO/WHO/UNU 1985 procedures in adults: comparison to whole-body indirect calorimetry measurements

OBJECTIVES: To measure daily energy expenditure (DEE) with indirect calorimetric facilities in sedentary and active subjects. To estimate daily energy needs with the FAO/WHO/UNU (1985) procedures (EDEE) and estimated energy requirement (EER) with the dietary reference intakes 2002 (DRI) in healthy adults with sedentary or high-activity conditions. To compare estimated daily energy needs with their measured values. DESIGN: Two groups of healthy subjects were tested under sedentary or high-activity conditions. In both groups, resting energy expenditure was measured after a 12-h overnight fast. DEE and basal metabolic rate (BMR) values were also measured with indirect calorimetry and compared to the relevant predicted values. Physical activity level and BMR were also estimated. SUBJECTS: A total of 45 sedentary (26 men and 19 women) and 69 active subjects (43 men and 26 women) aged 18-30 and 30-60 y. RESULTS: Measured daily energy expenditure (MDEE) was significantly lower than EDEE in sedentary men and women and in active men for the two age groups considered (P<0.05). EER was significantly lower than EDEE in both sedentary and active subjects of each subgroup (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The FAO/WHO/UNU (1985) procedures may overestimate daily energy needs, particularly in sedentary individuals. However, DRI (2002) are probably more adapted to estimate real daily energy needs in sedentary and active subjects in comparison to the FAO/WHO/UNU (1985) procedures.