OBJECTIVE: To evaluate differences in resting energy expenditure (REE) of black and white prepubertal children. SUBJECTS: The study subjects were 34 prepubertal children 5 to 12 years of age and weighing 90% to 206% ideal body weight. Girls represented 59% of the study subjects; 44% were white children and 56% were black children. METHODS: Fat-free mass (FFM), fat mass, and the percentage of body fat were determined by total body electrical conductivity. Fasting REE was measured by open-circuit indirect calorimetry. RESULTS: Although weight, height, FFM, fat mass, percentage of body fat, and age were similar between the ethnic groups (black vs. white children), the black subjects had a significantly lower REE (1312 ± 38 kcal/day) compared with the white subjects (1524 ± 43 kcal/day) after adjusting for age, gender, weight, FFM, and fat mass. Fat-free mass and ethnic group were the only significant predictors of REE (R² = 0.70). CONCLUSION: Resting energy expenditure is significantly higher in this sample of white children compared with the black children after adjusting for body size and composition. Both FFM and ethnic background were significant determinants of REE in prepubertal children. (J Pediatr 1996;129:643-7)