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The general perception
some people have about BMR is to consume less than 1000 calories a day and
you have a
healthy lifestyle. Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) is measured in
kilocalories. This is a measure of minimal amount of
energy (Kcal) needed
to maintain basic and essential physiological functions.
A 70Kg (154lb) person would expend approximately 1600 calories if they did
nothing more than stayed in bed for 24 hours.
This is what is known as
Basal Metabolism (resting metabolic). This energy expenditure can increase
from 1.2 calories
per minute during rest to more than 20 calories per
minute during vigorous activity. Additional energy is also required for
eating and to start the process of digestion and absorption. But it is
physical activity that has the greatest effect on energy
expenditure.
Most people’s BMR varies according to their age, gender and weight. The
BMR of men and women differs. Women’s BMR
is lower, this is due to a
greater relative fat content and lower Fat Free Mass. Muscular individuals
have a higher BMR than
fatter individuals of the same weight, because fat
tissue is less metabolically active than muscle tissue.
To avoid weight gain with ageing our caloric intake must decrease or we
should increase our physical activity to prevent
gradual weight gain. The
scientific method to accurately determine BMR is costly and is conducted
under controlled conditions
using calorimeter chamber and oxygen.
Over the years various predictive equations have been developed to
estimate BMR which are today deployed by Maltron Body
Composition
Analysers. Equations used by Maltron are gender specific and take into
account not only height and weight, but
also age. |
