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THE BASAL METABOLISM IN OBESITY

THE BASAL METABOLISM IN OBESITY Abstract A year ago I reported some observations of the gaseous metabolism in four cases of obesity and one of acromegaly.1 At present I wish to discuss the findings in these cases somewhat further, and at the same time to report observations on eight new cases.2 The object in view has been to determine whether any gross disturbances in the metabolism as shown by the basal gas exchange occur in obesity. The method has been described in the previous paper and consists, briefly, in the determination of the gas exchange in the nüchtern subject, lying prone, in a moderately warm room, and the calculation of the heat production by indirect calorimetry from the oxygen absorption and the calorific value of oxygen for the respiratory quotient obtained.3 In judging of the normality of any given metabolism the body surface is unquestionably a better criterion than the References 1. Means, J. H.: Studies of the Basal Metabolism in Obesity and Pituitary Disease , Jour. Med. Research , 1915, xxvii, 121. 2. I shall take this opportunity to correct three errors in the previous paper. In the first place Mrs. McK.'s height was incorrectly given. It should have been 144.5 cm. In Table 5, page 133, a cipher should be added to the figures for alveolar ventilation. Lastly, an error was made in measuring N. K. This was called to my attention by Dr. DuBois. The subject was not available so I could not remeasure him, but I have calculated his probable area as shown in Table 2 of the present paper. This correction lowers the figure for his metabolism from 43.1 to 36.4 calories per square meter and hour. 3. When the respiratory quotient was below 0.70 the calorific value for 0.70 was used. 4. Means, J. H.: Basal Metabolism and Body Surface , Jour. Biol. Chem. , 1915, xxi, 263. 5. DuBois, D., and E. F.: Measurement of the Surface Area of Man , The Archives Int. Med. , 1915, xv, 868.Crossref 6. In measuring obese subjects the results obtained by the linear formula are undoubtedly less accurate than in persons of normal build. On Feb. 9, 1916, Dr. F. G. Benedict and I both measured Mrs. McK. Dr. Benedict's measurements gave an area of 2.37 square meters ; mine, 2.12 square meters. She weighed at that time 99 kg. The difficulty lies in making the same amount of traction in taking the circumferences, and in locating some of the bony landmarks. Nevertheless the linear formula is more accurate than any other method available, except the actual measurement of casts or molds of the body. 7. DuBois, E. F.: The Respiration Calorimeter in Clinical Medicine , Harvey Lecture, (Nov. 27) , 1915. 8. Benedict and Emmes : Comparison of the Metabolism of Normal Men and Women , Jour. Biol. Chem. , 1915, xx, 253. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Archives of Internal Medicine American Medical Association

THE BASAL METABOLISM IN OBESITY

Archives of Internal Medicine , Volume XVII (5) – May 1, 1916

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References (5)

Publisher
American Medical Association
Copyright
Copyright © 1916 American Medical Association. All Rights Reserved.
ISSN
0730-188X
DOI
10.1001/archinte.1916.00080110117009
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

Abstract A year ago I reported some observations of the gaseous metabolism in four cases of obesity and one of acromegaly.1 At present I wish to discuss the findings in these cases somewhat further, and at the same time to report observations on eight new cases.2 The object in view has been to determine whether any gross disturbances in the metabolism as shown by the basal gas exchange occur in obesity. The method has been described in the previous paper and consists, briefly, in the determination of the gas exchange in the nüchtern subject, lying prone, in a moderately warm room, and the calculation of the heat production by indirect calorimetry from the oxygen absorption and the calorific value of oxygen for the respiratory quotient obtained.3 In judging of the normality of any given metabolism the body surface is unquestionably a better criterion than the References 1. Means, J. H.: Studies of the Basal Metabolism in Obesity and Pituitary Disease , Jour. Med. Research , 1915, xxvii, 121. 2. I shall take this opportunity to correct three errors in the previous paper. In the first place Mrs. McK.'s height was incorrectly given. It should have been 144.5 cm. In Table 5, page 133, a cipher should be added to the figures for alveolar ventilation. Lastly, an error was made in measuring N. K. This was called to my attention by Dr. DuBois. The subject was not available so I could not remeasure him, but I have calculated his probable area as shown in Table 2 of the present paper. This correction lowers the figure for his metabolism from 43.1 to 36.4 calories per square meter and hour. 3. When the respiratory quotient was below 0.70 the calorific value for 0.70 was used. 4. Means, J. H.: Basal Metabolism and Body Surface , Jour. Biol. Chem. , 1915, xxi, 263. 5. DuBois, D., and E. F.: Measurement of the Surface Area of Man , The Archives Int. Med. , 1915, xv, 868.Crossref 6. In measuring obese subjects the results obtained by the linear formula are undoubtedly less accurate than in persons of normal build. On Feb. 9, 1916, Dr. F. G. Benedict and I both measured Mrs. McK. Dr. Benedict's measurements gave an area of 2.37 square meters ; mine, 2.12 square meters. She weighed at that time 99 kg. The difficulty lies in making the same amount of traction in taking the circumferences, and in locating some of the bony landmarks. Nevertheless the linear formula is more accurate than any other method available, except the actual measurement of casts or molds of the body. 7. DuBois, E. F.: The Respiration Calorimeter in Clinical Medicine , Harvey Lecture, (Nov. 27) , 1915. 8. Benedict and Emmes : Comparison of the Metabolism of Normal Men and Women , Jour. Biol. Chem. , 1915, xx, 253.

Journal

Archives of Internal MedicineAmerican Medical Association

Published: May 1, 1916

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