Body oxygen consumption and pulmonary ventilation in obese subjects

¹ Department of Medicine, Baylor University College of Medicine, Houston, Texas

Postabsorptive body oxygen consumption (Vo₂) and pulmonary minute ventilation (Ve) were measured 164 times in 109 very obese subjects at rest. A statistically significant relationship was found between Vo₂ and total body weight. The correlation coefficients for the relationships between Ve and total body weight and Ve and body surface area were less significant. The mean calculated basal metabolic rate was within normal limits. The mean values for Vo₂ in the obese subjects were considerably higher than those predicted at ideal weight, while the mean values for oxygen consumption per kilogram body weight were lower than those reported in normal subjects. The mean percentage increase in oxygen consumption per kilogram excess weight (Vo₂/kg) approached the value for percentage of cell mass in excess weight, suggesting that Vo₂/ kg may be a function of the increment in cell mass with obesity. Similarly, since basal metabolic rate remained unchanged, proportionate increments in body surface area and cell mass appeared to occur with the development of obesity.

Submitted on April 3, 1964

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