PERFORMANCE OF NORMAL-WEIGHT AND UNDERWEIGHT MEN WITH MARGINAL CHANGES IN ENERGY-INTAKE

This study compares the continuous response of six underweight (UW) (body mass index [BMI] <18 kg/m2) and six normal-weight (NW) (20< BMI <25) men of similar age to a modest but sustained level of underfeeding and overfeeding. Habitual energy intake over 4 wk, body composition, and basal metabolic rate (BMR) were measured under metabolic-ward conditions. NW subjects were heavier by 9 kg and had 5% more body fat than UW subjects. The average BMR of UW subjects was 7.5% lower than NW subjects in absolute terms and also per kilogram fat-free mass per day but was higher by 8% when expressed per kilogram body weight per day. Three NW and three UW subjects were given a diet with 10% less energy than their habitual intake for 4 wk. They were brought back to the normal level of feeding for another 4 wk. Finally, they were overfed by 10% for 4 wk. This sequence was reversed in the remaining six subjects. Changes in body weight, BMR, and energy balance were assessed. UW subjects showed a quick and vigorous reduction in BMR (13.4%) during the 1st wk of underfeeding compared with NW subjects (8.1%). In the later weeks, the reduction was 8% in UW and 7% in NW subjects. Furthermore, UW subjects showed a tendency to resist a decrease in body weight (mean loss 180 g), unlike NW subjects (mean loss 730 g). With overfeeding, the mean increase in BMR for UW was higher (7.4%) than for NW (5.3%) subjects. UW subjects also increased their body weight to a greater extent (mean gain 1.1 kg) than NW subjects (mean gain 0.4 kg). The results indicate that both groups were able to adjust to modest changes in intake, but body-weight control mechanisms operated in a different manner in UW than in NW subjects.