UWL: Activity Level Factors (2007)

Citation:
 
Study Design:
Class:
- Click here for explanation of classification scheme.
Quality Rating:
Research Purpose:
To compare RMR, activity energy expenditure, total energy expenditure and physical activity level in 2 groups of elderly.
Inclusion Criteria:
None specifically mentioned.
Exclusion Criteria:
None specifically mentioned.
Description of Study Protocol:

Recruitment

Recruitment methods not described.

Design:  Cross-Sectional Study

Blinding used (if applicable):  not applicable

Intervention (if applicable):  not applicable

Statistical Analysis

The components of energy expenditure were standardized for fat-free mass using linear regression analysis.  Means were compared using Student's t test for paired of unpaired samples where appropriate.

Data Collection Summary:

Timing of Measurements

Measurements made and compared between age groups.

Dependent Variables

  • TEE and total body water measured with doubly labeled water
  • RMR measured through indirect calorimetry with ventilated hood

Independent Variables

  • Height, weight, BMI
  • Age category

Control Variables

 

Description of Actual Data Sample:

Initial N: 21 individuals (8 males, 13 females) that were 91 - 96 years of age and 12 individuals (3 males, 9 females) that were 73 years of age

Attrition (final N):  as above

Age:  as above 

Ethnicity:  not mentioned

Other relevant demographics:

Anthropometrics:

Location:  Goteborg, Sweden 

 

Summary of Results:

Other Findings

RMR in 91- 96 year olds averaged 5.36 +/- 0.71 MJ/day in females and 6.09 +/- 0.91 MJ/day in males.

RMR in 73 year olds averaged 5.63 +/- 0.74 MJ/day in females and 6.22 +/- 1.23 MJ/day in males.

Difference between measured RMR and predicted basal metabolic rate was 0.015 +/- 0.86 MJ/day (NS).

Total energy expenditure measured by doubly labeled water averaged 6.3 +/- 0.81 MJ/day in females and 8.1 +/- 0.73 MJ/day in males.

TEE was 34.4% lower in the older females compared wtih the younger (p < 0.001) and 24.6% lower in older males (p < 0.01).

Activity energy expenditure (AEE = TEE - RMR, including DIT) averaged 0.95 +/- 0.95 MJ/day in females and 2.02 +/- 1.13 MJ/day in males.

The difference in AEE between the older and younger females was 76.2% (p < 0.01) and for males 55.8% (p < 0.01).

Physical activity level (PAL = TEE/BMR) averaged 1.19 +/- 0.19 in females and 1.36 +/- 0.21 (p = 0.08) in males.

When adjusted for FFM there was no difference between sexes nor between aged groups in RMR.

Author Conclusion:
In the 91 - 96 year olds, TEE, AEE and PAL were lower, while RMR was not substantially different from the 73-year olds.  When adjusted for FFM there were no differences between sexes nor between age groups in RMR.
Funding Source:
Government: Swedish Medical Research Council
Not-for-profit
0
Foundation associated with industry:
Reviewer Comments:
Recruitment methods and inclusion/exclusion criteria not described.  Subjects not well described.
Quality Criteria Checklist: Primary Research
Relevance Questions
  1. Would implementing the studied intervention or procedure (if found successful) result in improved outcomes for the patients/clients/population group? (Not Applicable for some epidemiological studies) N/A
  2. Did the authors study an outcome (dependent variable) or topic that the patients/clients/population group would care about? Yes
  3. Is the focus of the intervention or procedure (independent variable) or topic of study a common issue of concern to dieteticspractice? Yes
  4. Is the intervention or procedure feasible? (NA for some epidemiological studies) N/A
 
Validity Questions
1. Was the research question clearly stated? Yes
  1.1. Was (were) the specific intervention(s) or procedure(s) [independent variable(s)] identified? Yes
  1.2. Was (were) the outcome(s) [dependent variable(s)] clearly indicated? N/A
  1.3. Were the target population and setting specified? Yes
2. Was the selection of study subjects/patients free from bias? ???
  2.1. Were inclusion/exclusion criteria specified (e.g., risk, point in disease progression, diagnostic or prognosis criteria), and with sufficient detail and without omitting criteria critical to the study? No
  2.2. Were criteria applied equally to all study groups? ???
  2.3. Were health, demographics, and other characteristics of subjects described? No
  2.4. Were the subjects/patients a representative sample of the relevant population? ???
3. Were study groups comparable? ???
  3.1. Was the method of assigning subjects/patients to groups described and unbiased? (Method of randomization identified if RCT) Yes
  3.2. Were distribution of disease status, prognostic factors, and other factors (e.g., demographics) similar across study groups at baseline? ???
  3.3. Were concurrent controls or comparisons used? (Concurrent preferred over historical control or comparison groups.) Yes
  3.4. If cohort study or cross-sectional study, were groups comparable on important confounding factors and/or were preexisting differences accounted for by using appropriate adjustments in statistical analysis? ???
  3.5. If case control study, were potential confounding factors comparable for cases and controls? (If case series or trial with subjects serving as own control, this criterion is not applicable.) ???
  3.6. If diagnostic test, was there an independent blind comparison with an appropriate reference standard (e.g., "gold standard")? N/A
4. Was method of handling withdrawals described? Yes
  4.1. Were follow-up methods described and the same for all groups? Yes
  4.2. Was the number, characteristics of withdrawals (i.e., dropouts, lost to follow up, attrition rate) and/or response rate (cross-sectional studies) described for each group? (Follow up goal for a strong study is 80%.) Yes
  4.3. Were all enrolled subjects/patients (in the original sample) accounted for? Yes
  4.4. Were reasons for withdrawals similar across groups? N/A
  4.5. If diagnostic test, was decision to perform reference test not dependent on results of test under study? N/A
5. Was blinding used to prevent introduction of bias? Yes
  5.1. In intervention study, were subjects, clinicians/practitioners, and investigators blinded to treatment group, as appropriate? N/A
  5.2. Were data collectors blinded for outcomes assessment? (If outcome is measured using an objective test, such as a lab value, this criterion is assumed to be met.) Yes
  5.3. In cohort study or cross-sectional study, were measurements of outcomes and risk factors blinded? Yes
  5.4. In case control study, was case definition explicit and case ascertainment not influenced by exposure status? N/A
  5.5. In diagnostic study, were test results blinded to patient history and other test results? N/A
6. Were intervention/therapeutic regimens/exposure factor or procedure and any comparison(s) described in detail? Were interveningfactors described? N/A
  6.1. In RCT or other intervention trial, were protocols described for all regimens studied? N/A
  6.2. In observational study, were interventions, study settings, and clinicians/provider described? N/A
  6.3. Was the intensity and duration of the intervention or exposure factor sufficient to produce a meaningful effect? N/A
  6.4. Was the amount of exposure and, if relevant, subject/patient compliance measured? N/A
  6.5. Were co-interventions (e.g., ancillary treatments, other therapies) described? N/A
  6.6. Were extra or unplanned treatments described? N/A
  6.7. Was the information for 6.4, 6.5, and 6.6 assessed the same way for all groups? N/A
  6.8. In diagnostic study, were details of test administration and replication sufficient? N/A
7. Were outcomes clearly defined and the measurements valid and reliable? Yes
  7.1. Were primary and secondary endpoints described and relevant to the question? Yes
  7.2. Were nutrition measures appropriate to question and outcomes of concern? Yes
  7.3. Was the period of follow-up long enough for important outcome(s) to occur? N/A
  7.4. Were the observations and measurements based on standard, valid, and reliable data collection instruments/tests/procedures? Yes
  7.5. Was the measurement of effect at an appropriate level of precision? Yes
  7.6. Were other factors accounted for (measured) that could affect outcomes? Yes
  7.7. Were the measurements conducted consistently across groups? Yes
8. Was the statistical analysis appropriate for the study design and type of outcome indicators? Yes
  8.1. Were statistical analyses adequately described and the results reported appropriately? Yes
  8.2. Were correct statistical tests used and assumptions of test not violated? Yes
  8.3. Were statistics reported with levels of significance and/or confidence intervals? Yes
  8.4. Was "intent to treat" analysis of outcomes done (and as appropriate, was there an analysis of outcomes for those maximally exposed or a dose-response analysis)? N/A
  8.5. Were adequate adjustments made for effects of confounding factors that might have affected the outcomes (e.g., multivariate analyses)? Yes
  8.6. Was clinical significance as well as statistical significance reported? Yes
  8.7. If negative findings, was a power calculation reported to address type 2 error? N/A
9. Are conclusions supported by results with biases and limitations taken into consideration? Yes
  9.1. Is there a discussion of findings? Yes
  9.2. Are biases and study limitations identified and discussed? No
10. Is bias due to study's funding or sponsorship unlikely? Yes
  10.1. Were sources of funding and investigators' affiliations described? Yes
  10.2. Was the study free from apparent conflict of interest? Yes