Bariatric science, is an emerging science that has progressed and developed diagnostic tools that can accurately determine an individual’s energy (calorie) needs as well as quantify their metabolic efficiency. The Resting Metabolic Rate test (RMR), and our ability to interpret the results, allows weight management to be an empirical science. This noninvasive 10 min. breathing test, accurately measures an individual’s energy needs and their specific rate of metabolism referred to as metabolic factor (MF).
These are physical metrics that bariatric health specialists can use to determine individual weight-loss and weight stabilization dietary plans. It provides an opportunity to predict an individual’s energy needs at the weight they choose as their goal; which may or may not realistic based on their MF. It also offers an opportunity to explain variability in losses and gains and surgeons can use these metrics when choosing an appropriate surgical procedure.
When a patient that has continually been plagued with “the slings and arrows” of lifelong obesity, discovers that they have a very low metabolic factor (hypo-metabolic) and likely the primary cause of their obesity….this test can begin to relieve a good deal of the shame and self-blame that has riddled their lives. Metabolic science can be shared with patients and even used as part of cognitive behavioral programs.
Seemingly a “numbers game” and only a physiological metric. Hopefully by watching the video tutorial (below) you will recognize the plethora of biopsychosocial implications. For bariatric professionals, not using RMR/MF testing would be like treating hypertension without measuring blood pressure or diabetes without measuring glucose.
Tutorial: Interpreting Metabolism (RMR/MF)
AABC Research Fellows Identify “The Missing Link”. A New And Important Metric, In Understanding Why Some People Are Thin And Others Thick Despite Similar Caloric Intake.
The American Association of Bariatric Counselors is pleased to announce that two of their research fellows have completed an important bariatric science research project that identifies a primary cause of a most prevalent category of obesity. The researchers, Dr. Brandon Davis from Grinnell Iowa and Dr. Joseph Indelicato from Queens, NY have recently been informed that their manuscript entitled "Stability of Metabolic Factor Before and After Bariatric Surgery" will be published in Obesity Surgery, the official journal of the International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders and is currently available online at: http://bit.ly/MetabolicFactorAABC
Dr. Brandon Davis

Dr. Joseph Indelicato