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BMR means how much energy our body needs when we are resting. This energy helps us breathe, keeps our heart beating, and keeps our body warm. Everyone’s BMR is different because of their age, body size, and muscles. If we know our BMR, we can learn how our body works and how to stay healthy. Check this article for detailed information about BMR.
What is the BMR Full Form?
The full form of BMR is Basal Metabolic Rate.
What Is Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR)?
Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) means the least amount of energy or calories your body needs to do simple and important things. These include breathing, keeping your heart beating, and staying warm. Every person’s BMR is different because each body is different. Most of the energy your body uses in a day, about 60% to 70%, is used just for these basic jobs. Around 10% of your energy is used to digest food, and the rest is used when you walk, play, or do any activity.
Knowing about BMR helps you understand how your body works and how much energy it needs every day. This is helpful if you want to stay healthy or manage your weight. But remember, BMR is just one part of understanding your body’s health and energy.
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Factors Affecting My Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR)
Many things can change or affect your BMR. Here are the main factors:
- Body Size: If your body is bigger and has more cells, it needs more energy to work.
- Muscle: Muscles need a lot of energy to stay strong. More muscles mean a higher BMR.
- Body Fat: Fat doesn’t need as much energy as muscle, but it still uses some energy.
- Sex (Male or Female): Boys/men usually have a higher BMR than girls/women because they often have more muscle and bigger bodies.
- Age: As you get older, your BMR can become slower. This is because you may lose some muscle over time.
- Race: Your race or ethnicity might also affect BMR. Scientists are still learning more about this.
- Genetics: Your family genes can also play a role in how fast or slow your BMR is.
Temporary and Life Changes That Affect BMR
Some things can change your BMR for a short time. These are called temporary situations:
- Skipping Meals or Not Eating Enough: If you don’t eat enough, your body tries to save energy by slowing down your BMR.
- Hot or Cold Weather: When it’s very hot or cold, your body works harder to stay warm or cool, which can increase your BMR.
- Thyroid Hormone Levels: Too much thyroid hormone makes BMR go up (hyperthyroidism). Too little makes it go down (hypothyroidism).
- Being Sick or Hurt: When you’re sick or injured, your body uses more energy to heal, so BMR goes up.
- Stimulants: Things like caffeine, nicotine, or certain medicines can make BMR go up.
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Some life stages also change BMR
- Growth (Babies and Kids): Children use more energy because they are growing fast, so their BMR is higher.
- Pregnancy: A pregnant woman’s body needs more energy to help the baby grow, so BMR increases.
- Breastfeeding (Lactation): Mothers use extra energy to make milk, which raises BMR.
- Menopause: As women go through menopause, they lose some muscle, which makes BMR go down.
What Is a Normal Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR)?
There is no one “normal” BMR for everyone. Every person has a different BMR because it depends on many things like body size, age, gender, and more.
On average, a man may have a BMR of around 1,696 calories a day. A woman may have a BMR of around 1,410 calories a day. But remember, these are only average numbers. Your BMR might be more or less depending on your body and background.
These numbers only show how much energy your body needs to do basic jobs, like breathing and keeping warm. They do not include the energy needed for moving, playing, or digesting food.
If you want to know how many calories you need each day, it’s best to talk to a doctor or a dietitian. They can help you find the right number just for you.
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How Do I Calculate My Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR)?
The best way to find your exact BMR is to test it in a lab. In the lab, experts check your BMR when you are:
- Completely resting.
- Calm and relaxed.
- Awake after sleeping, and not having eaten for 12 to 14 hours.
- In a room that feels just right, not too hot or cold.
But most people don’t go to a lab. So, scientists made a simple way to guess your BMR using a math formula. This formula is called the Harris-Benedict Equation.
For boys or men:
BMR = 88.362 + (13.397 × your weight in kg) + (4.799 × your height in cm) − (5.677 × your age in years)
For girls or women:
BMR = 447.593 + (9.247 × your weight in kg) + (3.098 × your height in cm) − (4.330 × your age in years)
This gives you a good idea of how many calories your body needs each day to do basic work like breathing and pumping blood.
What Is Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR)?
You may hear some people talk about RMR, which means Resting Metabolic Rate. RMR is very similar to BMR, but there is a small difference between them.
RMR tells how much energy or calories your body needs when you are resting, but it also includes small, easy activities like:
- Going to the bathroom
- Getting dressed
- Sitting up or moving slowly
Because of these little activities, RMR is about 10% more than BMR. Here’s how you can guess your RMR using a math formula:
For boys or men:
RMR = (4.38 × your weight in pounds) + (14.55 × your height in inches) − (5.08 × your age in years) + 260
For girls or women:
RMR = (3.35 × your weight in pounds) + (15.42 × your height in inches) − (2.31 × your age in years) + 43
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How Can I Increase My Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR)?
There are some things about your BMR (Basal Metabolic Rate) that you can’t change—like your age, height, or genes. But one healthy way to increase your BMR is by building lean muscle.
This is because muscles use more energy to stay strong, even when you’re resting.You can grow muscles by doing strength-training exercises. These are different from regular running or jumping (aerobic exercise). Some examples are:
- Lifting weights
- Doing Pilates
- Using kettlebells
These exercises help make your muscles stronger and your body burn more calories.
But remember, having a very fast BMR is not always good. Sometimes, people with health problems like cancer or hyperthyroidism have fast metabolisms, and this can be bad for their health. Also, some medicines or stimulants can make your BMR go up, but they may hurt your body too.
If you’re worried about your metabolism, or how your body uses energy, it’s best to talk to a doctor or healthcare expert. They can give you the right advice.
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FAQs on BMR Full Form
What is your BMR?
BMR is the number of calories your body needs to stay alive and do basic things like breathing and sleeping.
What is a normal BMR score?
A normal BMR is usually between 1200 to 1800 calories per day, depending on your age, gender, and body size.
What does basal rate stand for?
Basal rate means the lowest or base level of energy your body uses to stay alive when resting.
What is called BMR?
BMR stands for Basal Metabolic Rate, which is the energy your body needs for basic life functions.