Validity of RMR equations in Underweight, Normal Weight, Overweight, and Obese Emirati Female Young Adults

Abstract Background: Predictive equations have been developed to calculate resting metabolic rate (RMR) however they vary in their level of accuracy as they differ in the conditions in which they were developed and the variables that they consider. Methods: This cross-sectional study aims to examine the validity of published RMR equations in Emirati female young adults and develop a new cohort-specific RMR equation. Indirect calorimetry and anthropometric data were obtained from 149 female participants (17-27 years) across all body mass index (BMI) catgories. Results: Of the 9 prediction equations examined, Mifflin-St Jeor was the most accurate (mean difference: -15.8-83.8 Kcal/day), while the Harris-Benedict equation was the most inaccurate. Conclusions: Further studies should examine the developed equation in an independent sample.