Influence of Fat-Free Mass and Functional Status on Resting Energy Expenditure in Underweight Elders

Abstract

Underweight elderly subjects show a hypometabolism due to a reduction of both FFM quantity and its metabolic activity. Functional status in ADLs comes out as an important predictor of REE independently from FFM. The limited physical activity might be the underlying determinant of this hypometabolism, but further investigations are necessary to confirm this issue.