ENERGY-METABOLISM OF OVERWEIGHT WOMEN 1-MO AND 1-Y AFTER AN 8-WK SLIMMING PERIOD

Twenty-four hour energy expenditure (24EE) and spontaneous physical activity were measured in 13 over-weight women before and at the end of an 8-wk slimming period. These measurements were repeated in 10 women 1 mo after the slimming period (1-mo follow-up) and in eight women 1 y after slimming (1-y follow-up). The weight loss achieved after 8 wk of slimming (8.7-9.9 kg) was maintained throughout the follow-up periods; 24EE decreased during slimming from 9572 ± 703 (x̄ ± SD) to 8060 ± 471 kJ/d and increased after refeeding to 8379 ± 739 kJ/d after 1 mo and to 8285 ± 454 kJ/ d after 1 y. On the basis of body weight, energy requirement (∼126 kJ · kg-1·d-1) did not change throughout the slimming and follow-up programs. Spontaneous physical activity, which had been lowered during slimming, tended to increase after-wards. No changes in metabolic efficiency seemed to occur or persist.