Understanding Your Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR)
Your Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) is the minimum number of calories your body needs to perform essential functions while at rest. This includes breathing, circulation, cell production, and nutrient processing. Essentially, it's the energy your body burns just to stay alive, even if you were to do nothing all day.
Knowing your BMR can be a crucial first step in understanding your overall daily energy expenditure and can help in managing your weight effectively. It forms the baseline upon which your total daily energy expenditure (TDEE) is calculated, which also accounts for your activity level.
There are several formulas to estimate BMR, with the Mifflin-St Jeor equation generally considered the most accurate for most people. This calculator uses the Mifflin-St Jeor equation.
Mifflin-St Jeor Equation
For men: BMR = (10 × weight in kg) + (6.25 × height in cm) – (5 × age in years) + 5
For women: BMR = (10 × weight in kg) + (6.25 × height in cm) – (5 × age in years) – 161