South Asian men have lower cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) than white men which is associated with a reduced capacity to oxidise fat during exercise. This is a risk factor for weight gain/regain. Whilst comparisons with Europeans are valuable, Asians are not a homogenous group and substantial differences in obesity and body fat partitioning exist with ethnicity. This cross-sectional pilot investigation aims to compare CRF and fat oxidation at rest and during exercise in Chinese, Indian and Malay men (from Singapore) with elevated BMI (23 -30 kg/m2). Forty-five men (15 each ethnicity) with elevated body mass index (23 -30 kg/m2) will complete testing in a fasted state on two separate mornings separated by ≥72 hours: (i) for a measure of CRF; and (ii) for a measure of fat oxidation at rest and during incremental exercise.

South Asian men have lower cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) than white men which is associated with a reduced capacity to oxidise fat during exercise. This is a risk factor for weight gain/regain. Whilst comparisons with Europeans are valuable, Asians are not a homogenous group and substantial differences in obesity and body fat partitioning exist with ethnicity. This cross-sectional pilot investigation aims to compare CRF and fat oxidation at rest and during exercise in Chinese, Indian and Malay men (from Singapore) with elevated BMI (23 -30 kg/m2). Forty-five men (15 each ethnicity) with elevated body mass index (23 -30 kg/m2) will complete testing in a fasted state on two separate mornings separated by ≥72 hours: (i) for a measure of CRF; and (ii) for a measure of fat oxidation at rest and during incremental exercise. A submaximal exercise test will be used to estimate CRF (maximum oxygen uptake, VO2max) during walking using a standard protocol where subjects walk on a treadmill at 5 km/h with regular increments in gradient until individuals reach 80% of their estimated maximum heart rate [220 - age (years)]. Perceived exertion will be monitored assessed periodically during the test and expired gases continuously measured via a mouthpiece attached to an automated metabolic cart (Parvomedics MMS-2400; Parvomedics, Sandy, UT). Oxygen consumption will be extrapolated to estimate VO2max based on estimated maximum heart rate. Resting fat oxidation will be determined via a 30 minute measure of expired gases under a ventilated hood attached to an automated metabolic cart. Fat oxidation during exercise will be determined via walking on a treadmill with increments in speed and gradient until the respiratory exchange ratio is ≥ 0.95. Primary outcomes will be compared among groups and adjusted for any covariates (e.g., BMI, body fat percentage) as necessary.

Inclusion Criteria:

• male
• age 25 - <45 years
• Chinese, Indian or Malay based on self-identity for three generations (parents and grandparents)
• BMI ≥ 23 - < 30 kg/m2 and/or waist circumference ≥ 90 cm
• physically inactive defined as < 150 minutes moderate or < 75 minutes vigorous leisure-time physical activity per week, or the equivalent combination of both

Exclusion Criteria:

• females
• personal history of cardio-metabolic diseases
• dieting (i.e. restricting food/energy intake)
• smokers
• consuming alcohol > 3 times per week with > 3 drinks per time
• using any medications which affect carbohydrate or lipid metabolism
• any lower body injuries
• fasting blood glucose > 6.1 mmol/L

Healthy but physically inactive Chinese, Indian and Malay men aged 21-45 years with an elevated body mass index for Asians.

A copy of the anonymised data relating to this study will be made available in the Data Repository of the National Institute of Education (Singapore) after publication. Access to the data will be via reasonable request to the Principal Investigator.