Which predictive equation has demonstrated the greatest accuracy in estimating actual resting metabolic rate in healthy obese and non-obese adults?

Which predictive equation has demonstrated the greatest accuracy in estimating actual resting metabolic rate in healthy obese and non-obese adults?

• A. Owens using adjusted body weight
• B. Harris-Benedict using actual body weight
• C. Harris-Benedict using adjusted body weight
• D. Mifflin-St. Jeor using actual body weight

Answer: (D)

Estimating resting metabolic rate (RMR) in adults relies on how body size relates to energy use. The Mifflin-St. Jeor equation was developed from measured RMR data in a broad adult sample and tends to align most closely with actual measurements across a wide BMI range, including both obese and non-obese individuals. Using actual body weight with this equation preserves the direct link between weight and energy expenditure as it was derived, avoiding adjustments that can skew results. Other equations, like Harris-Benedict, often overestimate RMR when real weight is used, and using adjusted weights can introduce errors because they assume a fixed fat-to-lean ratio that doesn’t fit everyone. Older formulas such as Owens generally show less accuracy in diverse modern populations. Therefore, the combination of Mifflin-St. Jeor with actual body weight provides the best overall accuracy for estimating true RMR in healthy adults across obesity status.

Estimating resting metabolic rate (RMR) in adults relies on how body size relates to energy use. The Mifflin-St. Jeor equation was developed from measured RMR data in a broad adult sample and tends to align most closely with actual measurements across a wide BMI range, including both obese and non-obese individuals. Using actual body weight with this equation preserves the direct link between weight and energy expenditure as it was derived, avoiding adjustments that can skew results. Other equations, like Harris-Benedict, often overestimate RMR when real weight is used, and using adjusted weights can introduce errors because they assume a fixed fat-to-lean ratio that doesn’t fit everyone. Older formulas such as Owens generally show less accuracy in diverse modern populations. Therefore, the combination of Mifflin-St. Jeor with actual body weight provides the best overall accuracy for estimating true RMR in healthy adults across obesity status.