Intra-Assessment Resting Metabolic Rate Variability Is Associated with Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in Middle-Aged Adults

The intra-assessment resting metabolic rate variability is related to cardiometabolic health, as suggested by previous literature. We studied whether that variability (expressed as coefficient of variation [CV; %]) for oxygen consumption (VO2), carbon dioxide production (VCO2), respiratory exchange ratio (RER), and resting energy expenditure (REE) is similar between men and women, and if is similarly associated with cardiometabolic risk factors. Gas exchange in 72 middle-aged adults was measured by indirect calorimetry. Anthropometrics and body composition, cardiorespiratory fitness, circulating cardiometabolic risk factors, and heart rhythm parameters were also determined. Men and women presented similar intra-assessment resting metabolic rate variability (all p > 0.05). Notably, in men, CV for RER was positively associated with BMI and adiposity (both standardized beta = 0.35, Ps <= 0.048), while CVs for VO2, VCO2, and REE were negatively associated (standardized beta ranged from -0.37 to -0.46, all p <= 0.036) with cardiometabolic risk factors. In women, CVs for VCO2 and REE were negatively associated with adiposity (both standardized beta = -0.36, Ps <= 0.041) and cardiometabolic risk Z-score (standardized beta = -0.40 and -0.38, respectively, Ps <= 0.05). In conclusion, intra-assessment resting metabolic rate variability could be considered an indicator of cardiometabolic health in middle-aged adults.

Automated summary

The study found that men and women have similar intra-assessment resting metabolic rate variability, but there are differences in the indicators related to cardiometabolic health. For men, respiratory exchange ratio was positively associated with BMI and adiposity, while other indicators were negatively associated with cardiometabolic risk factors. In women, variability in carbon dioxide production and resting energy expenditure were negatively associated with adiposity and cardiometabolic risk factors.