Summary: | We determined whether metabolic syndrome (MetS) and the increasing number of its components influenced the resting energy expenditure (REE). Data on adult men (<i>n</i> = 72, 40%) and women (<i>n</i> = 108, 60%) from European (<i>n</i> = 154, 86%) and Sub-Saharan African (<i>n</i> = 26, 14%) ancestry were used. Ninety-five (53%) participants had MetS (MetS+), while 85 (47%) were without MetS (MetS−). REE was determined through indirect calorimetry, body composition by DEXA, and clinical biochemistry by standard laboratory techniques. MetS+ had a significantly higher REE (mean ± se: MetS+: 5995 ± 87.3 vs. MetS−: 5760 ± 86.3 kJ/d, <i>p</i> = 0.025) when adjusted for age, gender, fat mass (FM), fat-free mass (FFM), ethnicity, season, 25OHD, insulin sensitivity, and time of data collection. Within each MetS status group, an increase in the number of components (C) resulted in a stepwise increase in REE. Relative to zero components, those with 1C had adjusted REE higher by +526 ± 248.1 kJ/d (<i>p</i> = 0.037), while 2C were higher than 1C by +298 ± 140.8 kJ/d (<i>p</i> = 0.037). Similarly, relative to 3C, those with 4C had REE higher by +242 ± 120.7 kJ/d (<i>p</i> = 0.049). The higher REE of 5C over 4C by 132 ± 174.5 kJ/d did not achieve statistical significance. MetS was associated with a significantly higher REE. This greater energetic cost varied directly with the numbers of its components but was most evident in those not diagnosed with the syndrome.
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