Basal Metabolic Rate and Energy Requirement of Bed-ridden Elderly Women

A study was performed to evaluate the basal metabolic rate (BMR) and energy requirement of bed-ridden elderly women. The subjects were bed-ridden elderly women (n=10, 72-93 years) and normal elderly women (n=14, 68-88 years) living in a residential care home and a special care geriatric home. Fat-free mass was significantly lower in the bed-ridden elderly than in the normal elderly subjects, regardless of height and weight. Plasma concentrations of HDL-cholesterol, calcium, and iron were significantly lower in the bed-ridden elderly, and in particular, plasma calcium was lower than the standard value. The average BMR of the bed-ridden elderly was 22. 5±5.0kcal/m2/h, 16.9± 3.9kcal/kg/day, 23. 9±5.0kcal/LBM/day and 636.3±166.4kcal/day which was significantly 20-30% lower than in normal elderly. There was a correlation between the measured BMR and the estimated BMR of the normal elderly, but there was no correlation for the bed-ridden elderly. Energy expenditure and energy intake were significantly 30% lower in the bed-ridden elderly as compared with normal elderly subjects. No significant correlation was noted between energy expenditure and energy intake in the bed-ridden elderly. As to the actual and calculated energy requirements of the bed-ridden elderly, it was seen that the values agreed at 1, 053 kcal; thereafter, for every 10% increase in calculated energy requirements, the actual value was 57 kcal less.