[Energy expenditure of healthy Brazilian adults: a comparison of methods]. / Gasto energético de adultos brasileños saludables: una comparación de métodos.

UNLABELLED: There are many available methods to measure the human energy consumption. Due to the high cost and small number of laboratories able to perform it, the direct calorimetry and doubly labeled water technique are rarely used to measure the energy expenditure. As consequence, there is an increase use of the indirect calorimetry and bioelectrical impedance analysis methods by researchers and predictive equations by physicians to calculate the total energy requirements in research and in clinic. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the basal energy expenditure (GEB) and total energy expenditure (GET) of healthy subjects comparing results of indirect calorimetry (CI), bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) and predictive equations such as estimated energy requirements (EER), Fleish, FAO/WHO/UNU 1985 and 2001. MATERIAL AND METHODS: It was evaluated the energy expenditure in 81 subjects of both gender by CI and BIA. Of these, the GEB by predictive equations FAO/WHO/UNU 1985 and 2001 and the GET by EER, Fleisch and FAO/WHO/UNU 1985 and 2001 were calculated. The data was analyzed with the software Sigma Stat for Windows version 2.03 and Dunn's test was used for comparison of mean obtained with methods and equations (p < 0.05). RESULTS: It was verified that 60.5% of the participants were men. The majority of subjects were eutrofic. BIA showed significant differences between men and women. The differences between the values of GEB, obtained by BIA and CI, were statistically significant only for women (p < 0.05) with an underestimation of the GEB results obtained by BIA in relation to those obtained by CI. Significant difference was found between the predictive equations and CI for both sexes, also demonstrating an underestimation of the equations in relation to CI. It was observed an overestimation of GET with the predictive equations of FAO/WHO/UNU/85 and 2001 in relation to EER and Fleisch for both sexes. CONCLUSION: The estimation of GEB can be carried out by both BIA and CI, although BIA must be used with criteria since it underestimates in a significant way for women. In relation to the predictive equations, overestimation can develop positive energy balance in populations with risks for overweight and obesity. Thus, it is necessary comparisons to identify the limitations of each method.

Flaxseed energy and macronutrients balance.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Flaxseed has functional properties in the reduction of the risk of chronic non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer. Regardless of its high energy density, the consumption of flaxseed tends to promote body weight maintenance. The purpose of this study was to evaluate energy and macronutrient balance after flaxseed consumption. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Twenty four healthy volunteers were allocated into 3 experimental groups, when they consumed flaxseed (FS), defatted flaxseed flour (FF), or flaxseed oil (FO). During the control period they were provided a diet without flaxseed products for 7-9 days. Following that diets containing 70 g of one of the flaxseed products were consumed for another 7-9 day- period. Test foods were consumed exclusively in the laboratory and fecal excretion was collected during the study. There was a higher energy excretion (P < 0.05) in the FF and FS groups, compared to their control and FO group. RESULTS: The excretions of total lipid and the PUFA α-linolenic acid were higher in FS group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The intake of 70 g/day of FS and FF raised lipid and energy excretion, which may mitigated the effect of flaxseed consumption on body weight.