- Protocol for resting energy expenditure measurement. The energy expenditure was calculated according to the abbreviated formula provided by Weir (Weir JB. New methods for calculating metabolic rate with special reference to protein metabolism. J Physiol Lond 1949; 55:14-21). O2 consumption and CO2 production (integrated over 1 min) were measured for 30 min. Baseline values were calculated by averaging the readings taken during the last 10 min.