Basal Metabolic Rate in Healthy Young Adults in Lagos

Abstract

The study was carried out in order to provide local reference values of basal metabolic rate (BMR) by determining the BMR of healthy young adult males in Lagos and that of their female counterparts. A total of 80 students from the College of Medicine of the University of Lagos were studied. There were forty (40) males and forty (40) females. All the subjects fasted for at least 12 hours before determining the Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) from the rate of oxygen consumption by the subjects. Results obtained from the study showed that males had significantly higher BMR mean value of 52.36 ± 4.13 Kcal/hr as compared to the mean value of the females which was 36.28 ± 2.96Kcal/hr (P < 0.002). We conclude by presenting reference values of BMR young adults in Lagos: The young adult male has a BMR of 52.36 ± 4.13 Kcal/hr while that of this female counterpart is 36.28 ± 2.96Kcal/hr.


Key words: Basal metabolic rate, Oxygen consumption, Nigeria, Energy expenditure.


[Nig. Jnl Health & Biomedical Sciences Vol.1(2) 2002: 121-123]