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Energy expenditure while sitting or sleeping was measured over 24 h in eight young Asian immigrants to France by a suit calorimeter and also by continuous measurement of respiratory gas exchange. Fat-free mass (FFM) was estimated from skinfold measurements. The energy intake per kilogram FFM of the Asians was similar to a group of well-off North Americans of larger body size but similar body composition who had been the subjects of an earlier study. In both groups thermoneutrality was controlled by adjusting the circulating water temperature of the suit calorimeter according to the subjects' preferences. The hourly energy expenditure/kg FFM was 1.2 kcal during sleep and 1.7 kcal while sitting. The mean energy expenditure/kg FFM during a quiet day was 37 kcal/d or 1.5 kcal/h. Using published equations, the estimated BMR was 1490 kcal (6.2 MJ). This estimated value agrees quite well with the BMRs of these subjects as previously determined. In the metabolic room the daily sedentary energy expenditure averaged 1.15 BMR and the energy intake averaged 1.26 BMR for the study subjects in free-living conditions in an urban environment. This is below the 1.4 X BMR currently recommended as a 'minimum' energy intake for subjects of low activity.