PROCEDURE OF MEASUREMENT AND INTERPRETATION OF THE RESTING METABOLIC RATE

Abstract

The resting metabolic rate (RMR) is defined as the minimum rate of energy consumption required to support all cellular functions. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that the calculation of daily energy expenditure is obtained as a multiple of RMR. Thus, the precision in measuring the RMR is necessary to determine the effectiveness of nutrition plans, but studies show differences regarding the procedures adopted in implementing the measure by the method of gas exchange. Thus, aim to organize the knowledge developed in the area, propose a procedure for measuring the RMR using the method of gas exchange using the indirect calorimetry open circuit in healthy individuals and assist in its interpretation. The cares observed before and during the indirect calorimetry to achieve the correct measure of RMR, are related to the environment, individual, equipment and evaluation. Achieving the measure of RMR through gas exchange is complex and sensitive to many variables, which can lead to a wrong interpretation is not controlled by the evaluator.