Reliability of Multisensor Armband in Estimating Energy Expenditure According to Degree of Obesity

Resting energy expenditure (REE) represents the amount of calories required by the body to maintain vital bodyfunctions. One of the most commonly used methods for estimating REE is indirect calorimetry. Recent studies ondifferent populations have validated a highly innovative instrument, the SenseWear® Armband (SWA), which evaluatestotal energy expenditure and, when used in resting conditions, could also evaluate REE. The purpose of this study wasto determine the agreement of the SWA in assessing REE in obese subjects and, see how this agreement varies withdifferent obesity degree.89 obese subjects (59 women and 30 men), with an age range from 35-65 years and body mass index (BMI)34.5 4.5 kg/m2 were studied. REE was measured by IC Sensor Medics Vmax (SM-29N) and by SWA. Fat mass(FM) and fat-free mass (FFM) was determined by anthropometry and bio-impedance measurements. No statisticaldifference was found between REE measured by SWA (1693±276) and REE measured by SM-29N (1627±293). Thetwo methods showed similar assessments (r=0.8, p<0.0001). When the BMI range is limited to 30 to 35 kg/m2, thisagreement increases (r = 0.85, p<0.0001). However, at higher BMIs (BMI> 35 kg/m2), the agreement decreases (r =0.6 p <0.0001). FFM, measured using different methods, and REE measured using SWA and SM-29N are very closelycorrelated.The accuracy of the SWA is affected by BMI, in fact it appears to be good in obese subjects with a BMI range of30 to 35, but this accuracy decreases with higher BMIs (BMI> 35)