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Seasonal weight loss and metabolic adaptation in rural Beninese women: the relationship with body mass index

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 April 2007

J. Werner Schultink ,
Joop M. A. Van Raaij  and
Joseph G. A. J. Hautvast
J. Werner Schultink
Affiliation:
Section of Nutrition and Food Science, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Benin National University, PB526, Cotonou, Republic of Benin Department of Human Nutrition, Wageningen Agricultural University, PO Box 8129, 6700 EV Wageningen, The Netherlands
Joop M. A. Van Raaij
Affiliation:
Department of Human Nutrition, Wageningen Agricultural University, PO Box 8129, 6700 EV Wageningen, The Netherlands
Joseph G. A. J. Hautvast
Affiliation:
Department of Human Nutrition, Wageningen Agricultural University, PO Box 8129, 6700 EV Wageningen, The Netherlands
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Abstract

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A large variation in seasonal weight loss between individuals exists in rural communities in developing countries. Therefore, it was investigated whether some individuals show a metabolic adaptation and, through that, prevent large body-weight losses during the preharvest season. Basal metabolic rate (BMR), energy intake and physical activity level (PAL) of rural Beninese women were measured in three seasons. Groups of subjects were: women with a body mass index (BMI) < 18 (n 18), and a BMI > 23 (n 16), and women who had shown small (n 18) and large (n 15) preharvest weight loss. All groups of subjects decreased energy intake during the preharvest season by 0·66–1·09 MJ/d. PAL did not show significant seasonal changes in any of the four groups. Only subjects with a BMI < 18 decreased BMR during the preharvest season with 2·9 (SD 6·7) J/kg per min (P < 0·05), with a decrease of 0·8 (SD 1·4) kg (P < 0·05) in body weight. In very thin women with a BMI < 17 (n 5) BMR expressed per unit body weight decreased even more during the preharvest season (by 12 %).

Keywords

Basal metabolic rateBody weightBody mass indexRural Beninese women
Type
Seasonal Effects on Energy Metabolism
Information
British Journal of Nutrition , Volume 70 , Issue 3 , November 1993 , pp. 689 - 700
Copyright
Copyright © The Nutrition Society 1993

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