Search Weight Loss Topics:




Mar 9

Basal metabolic rate: What it is, calculation, and more – Medical News Today

Lose Weight Safely Comments Off on Basal metabolic rate: What it is, calculation, and more – Medical News Today

A person burns calories continually throughout the day in order to sustain basic life functions, such as breathing, circulation, and digestion. Basal metabolic rate is an estimate of the minimum number of calories a person needs each day to maintain these functions at a resting state.

Keep reading for more information on what basal metabolic rate is, how it is related to resting metabolic rate, and more.

Basal metabolic rate (BMR) estimates the minimum number of calories a person needs to burn to sustain their basic life functions during a 24-hour period of rest. Examples of such functions include:

People often use the terms BMR and RMR interchangeably. However, the two tests differ slightly in what they estimate and what the test involves.

The BMR estimates the minimum number of calories a person needs each day to sustain their basic life functions should they rest for the entire 24 hours of a day. However, to get an accurate estimate, a person must undergo monitoring in a clinical setting under tightly controlled conditions. These include:

The RMR estimates the number of calories a person burns during a period of inactivity. People do not need to fast or rest for an extended period in a controlled environment to get an estimate. Because the testing conditions of measuring the RMR are less stringent than those required to measure the BMR, the RMR may be slightly less accurate than the BMR.

BMR calculations involve analyzing the amount of oxygen and carbon dioxide a person breathes in and out. Experts refer to this analysis as calorimetry. It is a way of measuring the number of calories a persons body is using.

BMR also takes into account a persons:

According to the American Council on Exercise (ACE), people rarely use BMR outside of clinical settings because the test must take place in a tightly controlled environment under stringent testing parameters. As a result, it is unlikely that a person could accurately calculate their BMR at home.

As a simpler alternative, people can try calculating their RMR. This technique will still estimate the number of calories a persons body burns at rest but is much less restrictive

The ACE provide two equations that people can use to calculate their RMR: the Revised Harris-Benedict BMR equation, and the Mifflin-St Jeor equation. Both provide a separate estimate for men and women.

To calculate RMR, a person can plug the following values into the relevant sections of their chosen equation:

We outline the two equations below.

Revised Harris-Benedict BMR equation

Mifflin-St Jeor equation

According to the ACE, the Mifflin-St Jeor equation is more accurate than the Revised Harris-Benedict BMR equation.

Katch-McArdle and Cunningham equations

A more athletic person may get a more accurate estimate using an equation that takes into account their lean body mass. Examples include the Cunningham equation, which estimates RMR, and the Katch-McArdle equation, which estimates BMR.

Online RMR calculators

People can also calculate their RMR using an online calculator, such as the one provided by ACE, here.

Both BMR and RMR indicate the number of calories a person burns at rest. This information could be helpful for a person who is trying to manage their weight.

If a person is trying to lose weight, calculating their BMR or RMR could help them figure out how many calories to cut out each day. In some cases, this may mean consuming only enough calories to support essential life functions.

Alternatively, if a person wants to gain weight, they could use their BMR or RMR calculation to work out how many extra calories to consume each day.

The total number of calories necessary to sustain basic life functions varies from person to person. Some factors that can influence a persons calorie requirements include their:

The U.S. Dietary Guidelines for 2015-2020 provides the following general guidelines on daily calorie intake for men and women:

The guidelines indicate that as a person ages, their BMR will generally decrease. This means that they will require fewer calories than when they were younger.

The number of calories a person may need is also partly dependent on a persons activity levels. In general, a less active person will need fewer calories than a person who exercises regularly.

There are several factors involved in calculating a persons BMR and RMR. Of these factors, the only two that a person can potentially change are their body composition and their weight.

A person can, therefore, alter their BMR and RMR by decreasing weight from fat and increasing lean muscle mass. To achieve this, a person can try the following:

BMR estimates the minimum calories a person needs in order to sustain their basic life functions during a state of rest. A person can only receive an accurate BMR estimate in a well-controlled clinical setting.

RMR also estimates how many calories a person burns at rest. The testing requirements for estimating RMR are less strict than those for BMR.

Both BMR and RMR estimates may be helpful for people who are trying to manage their weight. They can indicate how many calories a person should be consuming daily to achieve their weight goals.

Equations and online calculators can give a reasonable estimate of RMR. However, people should visit their healthcare provider if they are searching for more accurate results.

More here:
Basal metabolic rate: What it is, calculation, and more - Medical News Today

Related Posts

    Your Full Name

    Your Email

    Your Phone Number

    Select your age (30+ only)

    Select Your US State

    Program Choice

    Confirm over 30 years old

    Yes

    Confirm that you resident in USA

    Yes

    This is a Serious Inquiry

    Yes

    Message:



    matomo tracker