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BMR: Full Form, Calculate BMR in Humans, and Medical Considerations

By Anushree Goswami Last updated : December 9, 2023

BMR: Basal Metabolic Rate

BMR is an abbreviation of Basal Metabolic Rate. It is the quantification of energy expenditure of an individual for the duration of physical, emotional, and digestive rest over a 24-hour period. In simple understanding, it is the amount of energy (calories) essential for an individual's body to preserve life or very significant functions at the same time when an individual is resting at a relaxed temperature and not eating or digesting any food.

BMR provides an individual an approximate calculation of calories that an individual burns, when that individual is at absolute rest for around 24 hours. The metabolic rate is generally less than BMR for the duration of sleep.

How to Calculate BMR in Humans?

In 1919, James Arthur Harris and Francis Gano Benedict introduced an equation/formula to determine the BMR of an individual.

This equation is known as the Harris-Benedict equation. Afterward, in 1984, this equation was amended to be further precise. In 1990, a new equation was introduced: the Miffin-St. or equation. It is still in use, this equation states:

P= (10.0 x m/1 kg) + (6.25 x h/1cm) - (5.00 x a/1 year) + s

Where,

• P= total heat production while at rest (BMR)
• m= weight of an individual in kilograms
• h= height of an individual in centimeters
• a= age of an individual in years
• s= constant (+5 for males and -161 for females)

For example: let us calculate BMR of a 40 year old male who is 160 cm tall and weighs around 70 kg.

On applying Formula:

P= (10.0 x 70) + (6.25 x 160 cm) - (5.00 x 40) + 5

= 700 + 1000 - 200 + 5

= 700 + 800 +5

= 1505

As a result, this person burns 1505 calories at the same time, when he is resting for 24 hours.

Medical Considerations for BMR

• A person's metabolism changes with their physical state and movement.
• Weight training can have a prolonged effect on metabolism than aerobic training, however, there are no acknowledged mathematical formulas that can precisely envisage the extent and span of an elevated metabolism from trophic modifications with anabolic neuromuscular training.
• A decline in food intake will normally lower the metabolic rate as the body undertakes to conserve energy.
• Researcher Gary Foster calculated approximately that a very low calorie diet of less than 800 calories a day would diminish the metabolic rate by more than 10 percent.