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Validation of the BodyGem™ hand-held calorimeter

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Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To assess the validity and reliability of a hand-held indirect calorimeter.

DESIGN: Resting metabolic rate (RMR) was measured on two separate mornings.

SUBJECTS: A heterogeneous sample of 41 healthy adults.

MEASUREMENTS: RMR using both a metabolic cart (Sensormedics 2900, SM-2900) and a hand-held indirect calorimeter (BodyGem™, BG).

RESULTS: There were no trial-to-trial differences in RMR measured by the BG (6756±163 vs 6697±163 kJ/day) or the SM-2900 (6400±163 vs 6396±167 kJ/day). RMR measured by the BG was significantly higher than that measured by the SM-2900 during both trials. In a sample of 10 subjects, the energy cost of holding the BG in position was determined to be (0.17±0.04 kJ/min, or 255±84 kJ/day). After applying this adjustment, the differences between systems were no longer significant during trial 1 (mean difference=101±67 kJ/day) or trial 2 (46±75 kJ/day). In overweight and obese individuals, RMR measured by the BodyGem™ was more accurate than that estimated by the Harris–Benedict equations.

CONCLUSION: The BodyGem™ provides valid and reliable measurements of RMR. The BodyGem™ produces significantly higher values than the Sensor Medics 2900 indirect calorimeter, with the increase largely due to an increased energy demand required to hold the BG in position.

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Acknowledgements

This study was funded by Healthetech, Inc.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Human Nutrition, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver, CO, USA

    E L Melanson, L B Coelho & J O Hill

  2. Department of Preventive Medicine and Biometrics, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver, CO, USA

    Z V Tran

  3. HealtheTech, Inc., Golden, CO, USA

    H A Haugen & J T Kearney

Authors
  1. E L Melanson
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  2. L B Coelho
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  3. Z V Tran
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  4. H A Haugen
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  5. J T Kearney
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  6. J O Hill
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Correspondence to E L Melanson.

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Melanson, E., Coelho, L., Tran, Z. et al. Validation of the BodyGem™ hand-held calorimeter. Int J Obes 28, 1479–1484 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijo.0802643

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijo.0802643

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