Influence of physical activity and dietary restraint on resting energy expenditure in young nonobese females

An understanding of the physiological and behavioral determinants of resting energy requirements is important to nutritional considerations in females. We examined the influence of endurance training and self-reported dietary restraint on resting metabolic rate and fasting plasma hormones in 44 nonobese females characterized for body composition, maximal aerobic power (VO2 max), and daily energy intake. To examine the association of metabolic rate and dietary restraint with hormonal status, fasting plasma levels of insulin, glucose, and thyroid hormones (total and free fractions of thyroxine and triiodothyronine) were determined. In univariate analysis, resting metabolic rate (kcal.min-1) was positively related to VO2 max (L.min-1) (r = 0.54; p less than 0.01). This relationship, however, was partially dependent on body size, since fat-free mass was also related to resting metabolic rate (r = 0.42; p less than 0.01) and VO2 max (L.min-1) (r = 0.75; p less than 0.01). After controlling for fat-free weight using partial correlation analysis, the relation between RMR and VO2 max was weaker but controlling for fat-free weight using partial correlation analysis, the relation between RMR and VO2 max was weaker but still significant (partial r = 0.38; p less than 0.05). On the other hand, high levels of dietary restraint were associated with higher levels of body fat (r = 0.31; p less than 0.05) and a lower resting metabolic rate (r = -0.29; p = 0.07). These associations persisted after control for differences in fat-free mass. Total energy intake as well as total and free levels of triiodothyronine were not related to resting metabolic rate or level of dietary restraint.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)