Objective To compare the consistency between the estimated values of nine common resting energy expenditure estimation equations and the measured values among the elderly population in pension institutions.

Methods A total of 181 elderly individuals from Henan Guangda Ouan Leling Nursing Center were recruited as study objects through cluster sampling. The differences between the estimated values of nine common equations and the measured values obtained by indirect calorimetry were compared, and subgroup analyses were conducted to compare their consistency across different subgroups.

Results Among the nine equations, the Cunningham equation and the Owen equation showed relatively small deviations from the measured values, with no significant differences (deviation rates of -1.9% and -2.0%, root mean square errors of 222.7 kcal/d and 239.4 kcal/d, and coincidence rates of 48.4% and 47.5%, respectively). In subgroups stratified by gender and body mass index (BMI), the Cunningham equation showed no significant difference compared with the measured values. The Owen equation showed no significant difference compared with the measured values only in some subgroups males with BMI of 20~ < 27 kg/m² and ≥27 kg/m², and females with BMI < 20 kg/m².

Conclusion The Cunningham equation, which utilizes body composition data, can assess the resting energy expenditure of the elderly in pension institutions with relatively high accuracy and speed, demonstrating strong applicability in this population.