Cited by 219Body Composition Measurement TechniquesMuscle metabolism and nutritionRegulation of Appetite and Obesity

Doubly labelled water assessment of energy expenditure: principle, practice, and promise.

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Westerterp, Klaas R.·2017·European Journal of Applied Physiology

Abstract

Abstract The doubly labelled water method for the assessment of energy expenditure was first published in 1955, application in humans started in 1982, and it has become the gold standard for human energy requirement under daily living conditions. The method involves enriching the body water of a subject with heavy hydrogen ( 2 H) and heavy oxygen ( 18 O), and then determining the difference in washout kinetics between both isotopes, being a function of carbon dioxide production. In practice, subjects get a measured amount of doubly labelled water ( 2 H 2 18 O) to increase background enrichment of body water for 18 O of 2000 ppm with at least 180 ppm and background enrichment of body water for 2 H of 150 ppm with 120 ppm. Subsequently, the difference between the apparent turnover rates of the hydrogen and oxygen of body water is assessed from blood-, saliva-, or urine samples, collected at the start and end of the observation interval of 1–3 weeks. Samples are analyzed for 18 O and 2 H with isotope ratio mass spectrometry. The doubly labelled water method is the indicated method to measure energy expenditure in any environment, especially with regard to activity energy expenditure, without interference with the behavior of the subjects. Applications include the assessment of energy requirement from total energy expenditure, validation of dietary assessment methods and validation of physical activity assessment methods with doubly labelled water measured energy expenditure as reference, and studies on body mass regulation with energy expenditure as a determinant of energy balance.

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  1. Speakman JR Doubly labelled water 1997 Berlin Springer

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Authors
Westerterp, K. R.
Affiliations
Maastricht University Medical Centre (NL)
Corresponding author
Westerterp, Klaas R.
Venue
European Journal of Applied Physiology
Published
2017-05-15
Volume
117
Issue
7
Pages
1277-1285
ISSN
  • 0020-9376 (ISSN-L)
  • 1439-6319
  • 1439-6327
OpenAlex
W2616634005
Cited by
219
References
70
Citations by year
2026: 25 · 2025: 30 · 2024: 22 · 2023: 32 · 2022: 28 · 2021: 28 · 2020: 20 · 2019: 21 · 2018: 12 · 2017: 1
FWCI
1.81
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • European Journal of Applied Physiology (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Research Publications (Maastricht University) (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • Research Publications (Maastricht University) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Body Composition Measurement Techniques
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Cell Biology › Muscle metabolism and nutrition
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Endocrine and Autonomic Systems › Regulation of Appetite and Obesity
Keywords
doubly labeled water, energy expenditure, energy requirements, CO2 emissions, deuterium, physical activity energy expenditure, energy balance, body weight regulation
MeSH terms
Energy Metabolism, Humans, Oxygen Isotopes, Ergometry, Deuterium Oxide

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