Resting Metabolic Rate Estimation and Dietary Energy Adequacy Among Rural Women in Plateau State, North Central Nigeria

Background: Energy imbalance remains a dual burden for rural Nigerian women, who face both undernutrition and, increasingly, overweight resulting from shifting food systems. Accurate estimation of resting metabolic rate is fundamental to understanding energy requirements, yet few population-specific studies address rural women in Plateau State. Objectives: This study aims to estimate resting metabolic rate using the Harris-Benedict and WHO predictive equations and to assess dietary energy adequacy using a three-day food frequency questionnaire among rural women aged 18 to 45 years in Plateau State. Methods: One hundred and fifty non-pregnant, non-lactating women from five rural communities will be recruited. Weight, height, and age will be collected for metabolic rate calculation. A trained field assistant will administer food frequency questionnaires to estimate daily energy intake. Descriptive statistics and Bland-Altman analysis will compare equation-estimated metabolic rate with dietary intake. Expected Outcomes: A significant proportion of participants are anticipated to have dietary energy intake below their estimated resting metabolic rate, confirming chronic energy deficiency in this population. Conclusion: Findings will inform nutritional programming for rural women in the North Central geopolitical zone of Nigeria. Keywords: resting metabolic rate, dietary energy intake, rural women, nutritional adequacy, Plateau State.