Body fat distribution and abdominal fatness are indicators of risks for coronary heart disease. However, the relationships between resting energy expenditure (REE) and the body fat distribution or the abdominal fatness are unclear. We examined the relationships of REE with whole-body fat distribution (waist, hip and waist-to-hip ratio: WHR) and abdominal fatness (intra-abdominal fat: IF and subcutaneous fat: SF) after adjustment for body composition. 451 men and 471 women were subdivided into two groups, 40–59 years: middle-aged group and 60–79 years: elderly group. REE was measured by an indirect calorimetry system. Percentage of fat mass (%FM), fat mass (FM) and fat-free mass (FFM) were assessed by a dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry method. The IF area (IFA) and SF area (SFA) at the level of the umbilicus were measured using computed tomography. Circumference of waist and hip were measured in a standing position. The WHR, waist circumference and SFA did not significantly (p>0.05) associate with the REE after adjusting for FM, FFM and age in any of the groups. The adjusted REE was significantly and inversely correlated with hip (r=−0.159, p<0.05) and IFA (r=−0.131, p<0.05) in the elderly men. These results suggest that lower REE may contribute to greater hip and IFA rather than WHR and waist in elderly men.