Abstract
It is unclear which dietary intake standard should be used for children with abnormal body size. To assess energy expenditure in short-stature children who have no underlying disorders, we measured total energy expenditure (TEE), resting energy expenditure (REE) and respiratory quotient (RQ) using the doubly labeled water method and expired gas analysis in 8 children with short stature (5 males, 3 females: age 5.6 ± 0.7 years), and calculated their physical activity levels (PAL). The measured values were then compared with estimated values based on subjects’ age- or height-adjusted age-matched references for basal metabolic rates. We also performed a food intake survey and calculated the percentage energy intake for the three major nutritional components. The measured TEE and REE in the short-stature children were significantly higher than those estimated from the age-matched references, but did not differ from the height-adjusted age-matched estimates. PAL obtained from the measured TEE and REE also did not differ from the estimated values based on either actual age- or height-adjusted age-matched references. Percentage energy intake from carbohydrate among total energy intake was lower than shown in the Dietary Reference Intakes for Japanese. These data suggest that metabolism is enhanced in short-stature children. In addition to possible delayed development and/or genetic mutation, as has been speculated, insufficient carbohydrate intake might also contribute to the energy imbalance in short-stature children.
