Basal Metabolic Rate in Advanced Age

Abstract

The number of measurements which have been recorded of the basal metabolic rate in persons over 70 is small. Magnus-Levy and Falk measured 5 men of the ages of 64 to 78 and 7 women of the ages of 71 to 86. Aub and DuBois examined 6 old men with obvious stigmata of senility. With all these cases there was a definite lowering of the basal metabolic rate below the predicted. In one case in the Aub and DuBois series the rate was —30.

In contrast to these stand the measurements by Dr. Stoner made for Professor F. G. Benedict on Professor Keen, aged 89. With the 3 standard methods of prediction. Professor Keen's basal metabolism was above the predicted. With the Harris-Benedict method the basal metabolic rate was +26.2. Benedict is inclined to believe that this represents more accurately the physical condition of Dr. Keen than do the other two.

I have examined the basal metabolic rate of 4 persons whose ages range from 72 to 89. The subjects were 3 men of great mental and physical vigor, one of these was a person standing 6 ft. 1 inch in height. The woman examined is unusually small, who has never had any illness during 35 years service in my family, is physically most active and mentally highly acute.

In the case of J. C-B. 6 measurements were made, 2 measurements per day being made on 3 different days. In the case of S. K. 2 measurements were made on each of 2 successive days. In the other cases 2 measurements were made on a single day. The measurements were made with the Benedict Student Apparatus in the strictly post absorptive condition.