Basal metabolic rate and physique of Gurkha and British soldiers stationed in Britain

Measurements of basal metabolic rate (BMR) and physique were made on Gurkha soldiers stationed in Britain, and on British controls matched by body weight and occupational background. Gurkhas were significantly shorter, with greater body mass index, calf circumference and subscapular skinfold thickness than the European controls, although there was no difference in BMR between the two groups. For the Gurkhas, linear regression analysis incorporating factors which may influence BMR showed a positive relationship between the length of time since leaving Nepal and BMR, supporting the view that Asians living in temperate regions have higher BMR than those living in the tropics.