Abstract
Height, body weight, skinfold thickness and basal metabolic rate of the severely mentally and physically handicapped were measured in a colony in Ibaraki Prefecture. Measurements taken were compared with the values of 1981 National Nutrition Survey as the reference. All but one female subject were shorter in height while all the subjects were remarkably lighter in body weight than the reference. Skinfold thicknesses were less than the reference in almost all the subjects.
Basal metabolic rates measured were compared with the standard basal metabolic rates which were used as the basis for estimating energy requirements in the recommended dietary allowances in Japan. Basal metabolic rates per day were remarkably lower than the standard in all the subjects. However, mean basal metabolic rates per kg of body weight were almost the same in male subjects and slightly higher in female subjects compared to the standard, though there were wide individual variations. These results seem to have derived from their inferior physique, particularly from their light body weight.
Basal metabolic rates per body surface area were lower than the standard in most of the subjects. Mean values were approximately 78% and 87% for males and females of the standard values.
Basal metabolic rate per day for each subject was compared with the standard value of the age group whose standard weight was the same as the actually measured weight of the subject. The basal metabolic rates were significantly lower than the standard.
