Ability of the Harris Benedict formula to predict energy requirements differs with weight history and ethnicity.

Abstract The objective of this study was to assess the effects of weight history status and ethnicity on the ability of the Harris-Benedict (HB) formula to (1) predict measured resting energy expenditure (REE) and (2) accurately estimate energy needs over a 2-week test period. Subjects were never-overweight (body mass index [BMI] ≤25 kg/m 2 , n = 47), overweight (BMI 27-30 kg/m 2 , n = 170), and weight-reduced (BMI ≤25 kg/m 2 , n = 51) healthy, adult African American and white women. Food was provided for 2 weeks at an energy level calculated using the HB formula multiplied by a 1.35 activity factor. After 2 weeks, weight, REE (by indirect calorimetry), and body composition (by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry) were assessed. Data were analyzed using 2-way analysis of variance at P P P P P