Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR)

Calculate Your Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR)

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About Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR)

Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) is the number of calories your body burns while at complete rest. It represents the minimum amount of energy needed to keep your body functioning, including breathing and keeping your heart beating.

Key Points:

  • BMR accounts for 60-75% of the calories you burn daily
  • It's influenced by factors like age, gender, weight, and height
  • Knowing your BMR can help in creating effective diet and exercise plans
  • BMR is different from Total Daily Energy Expenditure (TDEE), which includes activity

Understanding BMR Calculations

Harris-Benedict Equation

This equation was developed in 1918 and revised in 1984:

  • Men: 88.362 + (13.397 × weight in kg) + (4.799 × height in cm) - (5.677 × age in years)
  • Women: 447.593 + (9.247 × weight in kg) + (3.098 × height in cm) - (4.330 × age in years)
  • One of the earliest BMR formulas, still widely used

Mifflin-St Jeor Equation

Developed in 1990, considered more accurate for modern populations:

  • Men: (10 × weight in kg) + (6.25 × height in cm) - (5 × age in years) + 5
  • Women: (10 × weight in kg) + (6.25 × height in cm) - (5 × age in years) - 161
  • Generally preferred by nutrition professionals today

Factors Affecting BMR

BMR can be influenced by various factors:

  • Muscle mass (more muscle = higher BMR)
  • Age (BMR typically decreases with age)
  • Genetics
  • Hormonal factors
  • Environmental temperature
  • Diet and nutrition