Basal metabolic rate (BMR) is the minimum level of energy the body needs, when at rest, to function effectively for any 24-hour period. This includes conversion of energy from food into energy for life-sustaining tasks such as breathing, circulating blood, the building and repairing of cells, the digestion of food and the elimination of toxins and waste. This does not account for any sort of physical activity performed such as getting out of bed, walking, daily tasks or exercise, etc.
Knowing our BMR establishes an energy baseline, from which weight control strategies can be calculated and implemented, depending on the individual’s goals. Boditrax can accurately calculate an individual’s BMR because their muscle and fat mass have also been accurately calculated so it is clear exactly how much tissue needs to be maintained.
Studies show there are four distinct changes in metabolism over a lifetime.
Infant: One month to one year: Metabolism accelerates until it is 50% greater than an adult.
Childhood: One to Twenty years: Metabolism slow gradually at 3% per year.
Adulthood: Twenty to sixty years: Metabolism holds approximately steady.
Older Adult: Sixty years onward. Metabolism declines continually at circa 0.7% per year.
BMR is subject to several factors that include height, genetics, ethnicity, sex, age, height, weight, body composition. It is also subject to the impact of hormonal change, illness and disease.
Of all the factors that impact BMR, making changes to body composition by adding muscle mass and losing fat mass is the most straightforward.
If you have any questions, please seek advice from a medical or fitness professional where you use boditrax, or get in touch with boditrax anytime via support@boditrax.com
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Anthanont, P., & Jensen, M. D. (2016). Does basal metabolic rate predict weight gain? The American journal of clinical nutrition, 104(4), 959-963.
Hulbert, A. J., & Else, P. L. (2004). Basal metabolic rate: history, composition, regulation, and usefulness. Physiological and Biochemical Zoology, 77(6), 869-876.
Pontzer, H., Yamada, Y., Sagayama, H., Ainslie, P. N., Andersen, L. F., Anderson, L. J., ... & IAEA DLW Database Consortium §. (2021). Daily energy expenditure through the human life course.Science 373(6556), 808-812.
