1. What is Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR)?

Definition: BMR represents the number of calories your body needs to maintain basic physiological functions at complete rest.

Purpose: It helps in weight management, diet planning, and understanding your body's energy requirements.

2. How Does the BMR Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Mifflin-St Jeor equation:

Where:

• \( BMR \) — Basal Metabolic Rate (kcal/day)
• \( W \) — Weight in kilograms (kg)
• \( H \) — Height in centimeters (cm)
• \( A \) — Age in years
• \( S \) — Sex adjustment (+5 for male, -161 for female)

Explanation: This formula accounts for body size, age, and sex differences in metabolic rate.

3. Importance of BMR Calculation

Details: Knowing your BMR helps create personalized nutrition plans and understand your body's energy needs for weight loss, maintenance, or gain.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter your weight in kg, height in cm, age in years, and select your sex. All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why is there a sex adjustment in the formula?
A: Men typically have more muscle mass and less body fat than women of the same weight, leading to higher metabolic rates.

Q2: How accurate is the Mifflin-St Jeor equation?
A: It's considered the most accurate BMR formula for healthy individuals, with about 90% accuracy.

Q3: Does this account for activity level?
A: No, this is just your basal rate. Multiply by an activity factor (1.2-1.9) to estimate total daily energy expenditure.

Q4: Why does BMR decrease with age?
A: Muscle mass typically decreases with age, and fat tissue burns fewer calories than muscle at rest.

Q5: How often should I recalculate my BMR?
A: Recalculate whenever your weight changes significantly (5+ kg) or annually as you age.