​Basal metabolic rate (BMR)

What is Your BMR?
Basal metabolic rate is the number of calories your body needs to accomplish its most basic (basal) life-sustaining functions.

Even when resting, your body burns calories by performing essential functions to sustain life, such as:

• breathing
• circulation
• nutrient processing
• cell production

Basal metabolic rate vs. resting metabolic rate
Basal metabolic rate BMR is often used interchangeably with resting metabolic rate RMR. Although BMR and RMR slightly differ from each other, your RMR should be an accurate estimate of your BMR.

• Basal metabolic rate (BMR) is the minimum number of calories required for essential functions at rest,
• Resting metabolic rate (RMR) — also called resting energy expenditure is the amount of energy that your body needs to function while at rest.
• Resting energy expenditure (REE) represents the amount of calories required for a 24-hour period by the body during a non-active period

Why you should know your BMR
Your BMR can be used to help you gain, lose, or maintain your weight. For example, knowing how many calories you burn can know how many to consume. 

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​Is your goal to maintain your weight? 
Consume the same number of calories that you burn.

Is your goal to gain weight? 
Consume more calories than you burn.

Is your goal to lose weight? 
Consume fewer calories than you burn.

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How to estimate your BMR 
To estimate BMR through the Harris-Benedict formula, which takes into account weight, height, age, and gender.

Women:
BMR = 655 + (9.6 × weight in kg) + (1.8 × height in cm) – (4.7 × age in years)

Men:
BMR = 66 + (13.7 × weight in kg) + (5 × height in cm) – (6.8 × age in years)

​Disclaimer: Please note the date of the last review or update on all articles. Regardless of the date, no content on this site should ever be used to substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinicians.