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How to calculate BMR

The BMR, which stands for Basal Metabolic Rate, indicates the minimum amount of energy that our body requires to maintain vital functions at rest. In other words, it is the amount of calories that our body burns simply to exist.

Calculating your own BMR is important to understand how many calories are needed to maintain current weight or to achieve a specific weight loss or gain goal.

How is the BMR calculated?

There are different methods for calculating the BMR, but all are based on variables such as age, sex, height, and body weight.

  • The Harris-Benedict formula: this formula takes into account age, sex, height, and body weight. It is one of the most common methods used by health professionals.
  • The Mifflin-St Jeor formula: this formula is similar to Harris-Benedict but was developed more recently and is considered more accurate.
  • The DEXA scan: this method uses an X-ray scan to determine muscle mass, bone density, and percentage of body fat. This information is then used to calculate the BMR.

In general, the results obtained from these formulas may vary slightly from each other, but all provide a fairly accurate estimate of the BMR.

It is important to note that the BMR is only part of the equation when it comes to weight loss or gain. Other factors such as physical activity and total calorie intake must be considered to get a complete picture of the situation.

What is BMR and why is it important to know?

BMR stands for Basal Metabolic Rate, which represents the amount of energy our body consumes at rest, that is, without any physical activity.

Knowing your own BMR is important for several reasons:

  • Calculation of daily calorie needs: knowing your own BMR allows you to accurately calculate your daily calorie needs. In fact, if you consume more calories than your body needs, you gain weight; if you take in fewer calories, you lose weight.
  • Diet planning: knowing how much we should eat to maintain weight or lose weight allows us to better plan our diet and choose the right foods.
  • Exercise planning: knowing our BMR also helps us plan the appropriate exercise for our needs. For example, if we want to lose weight we must burn more calories than we consume, so we need to increase physical activity.

In addition, knowing your own BMR can also be useful in understanding whether we have a fast or slow metabolism. If we have a fast metabolism, we can indulge ourselves a little more in our diet without gaining weight; if we have a slow metabolism, we need to be careful not to exceed with calories.

The BMR depends on several factors, including gender, age, height, and weight. Generally, men have a higher BMR compared to women because they have more muscle mass. Additionally, the BMR decreases with age and weight loss.

To calculate one's own BMR, there are several mathematical formulas that take into account the aforementioned factors. One of the most commonly used formulas is the Harris-Benedict formula:

Male: BMR = 88.362 + (13.397 x weight in kg) + (4.799 x height in cm) - (5.677 x age in years)
Female: BMR = 447.593 + (9.247 x weight in kg) + (3.098 x height in cm) - (4.330 x age in years)

However, it is important to remember that these calculations are only indicative and that each person has a different metabolism. Therefore, to have an even more precise estimate of one's daily caloric needs, it is always better to consult a professional in the field such as a dietician or nutritionist.

How to Calculate BMR Using the Harris-Benedict Formula

The Harris-Benedict formula is one of the most common formulas used to calculate BMR. The formula takes into account a person's age, gender, height, and weight.

Harris-Benedict Formula for Men:

BMR = 88.362 + (13.397 x weight in kg) + (4.799 x height in cm) - (5.677 x age in years)

Harris-Benedict Formula for Women:

BMR = 447.593 + (9.247 x weight in kg) + (3.098 x height in cm) - (4.330 x age in years)

To calculate your BMR using the Harris-Benedict formula, follow these steps:

  • Measure your weight in kg and your height in cm.
  • Measure your age in years.
  • Use the appropriate formula above, substituting the correct values for weight, height, and age.
  • The final result will be your BMR.

For example, if you are a 30-year-old man who weighs 75 kg and is 180 cm tall, your BMR would be:

BMR = 88.362 + (13.397 x 75) + (4.799 x 180) - (5.677 x 30) = 1762.37 calories per day

It is important to remember that BMR is only an approximate estimate of the number of calories that your body burns at rest. There are many other factors that influence metabolism, such as physical activity and muscle mass.

Using this calculation as a starting point, you can begin to plan your diet and physical activity to achieve your health and fitness goals.

Factors That Affect BMR

BMR, or basal metabolic rate, is the number of calories that the body burns at rest to maintain vital functions such as breathing, blood circulation, and regulation of body temperature. BMR depends on several factors:

  • Muscles: Muscles are more active than adipose tissue (fat). Therefore, the greater the muscle mass, the higher the BMR.
  • Gender: Men tend to have a greater muscle mass than women, therefore they have a higher BMR.
  • Age: as age increases, muscle mass tends to decrease and adipose tissue increases, thus reducing BMR.
  • Weight: the greater the body weight, the higher the BMR because it takes more energy to keep a larger body alive.
  • Height: taller people have a higher BMR because they need more energy to keep a larger body alive.
  • Adipose tissue: adipose tissue does not require much energy to be maintained. Therefore, the more fat in the body, the lower the BMR will be.

In addition to these factors, lifestyle also affects BMR. For example, physically active people have a higher BMR compared to sedentary individuals.

It is important to note that BMR is only one of the factors that influence daily calorie needs, and each person has different energy requirements based on their lifestyle, health, and other individual factors.

Conclusions and practical tips for managing your BMR.

After calculating your BMR, you can use this information to adapt your diet and lifestyle in order to achieve your health and fitness goals. Here are some practical tips for managing your BMR:

1. Eat enough calories

Eating too little can slow down your metabolism, while eating too much can only temporarily speed it up. Make sure you consume enough calories to support your daily activities and level of physical exercise.

2. Exercise regularly

Regular exercise is a great way to increase your metabolism and burn extra calories. Try to do at least 30 minutes of moderate aerobic activity every day, such as brisk walking or running.

3. Add strength training to your routine

Strength training can help you build muscle, which in turn speeds up your metabolism. Try adding free weights or gym machines to your workout routine two or three times a week.

4. Get enough sleep

Lack of sleep can negatively affect your metabolism and ability to burn calories. Try to get at least 7-8 hours of sleep each night to keep your metabolism active.

5. Drink enough water

Water is essential for your metabolism and overall health. Try to drink at least 8 glasses of water a day to stay hydrated and support your metabolism.

  • To sum up:
  • Calculate your BMR using one of the formulas mentioned above.
  • Use this information to adapt your diet and lifestyle.
  • Eat enough calories, exercise regularly, add strength training to your routine, get enough sleep, and drink enough water.

By following these practical tips, you can effectively manage your BMR and achieve your long-term health and fitness goals. Remember that calculating BMR is just the beginning of the process: you must consistently commit to maintaining a healthy and balanced lifestyle. Remember that every little step counts!

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Michael Anderson - Software Engineer

My name is Michael Anderson, and I work as a computer engineer in Midland, Texas.

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