Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR) is the total number of calories burned when your body is completely at rest. RMR supports breathing, circulating blood, organ functions, and basic neurological functions. Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) is often used interchangeably with Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR).
Resting Energy Expenditure (REE) is the number of calories that your body burns while it’s at rest.
Although BMR and RMR slightly differ from each other, RMR should be an accurate estimate of your BMR.
How can energy expenditure be accurately measured? Direct calorimetry measures the amount of heat produced by a subject enclosed within a small chamber to calculate energy expenditure. Indirect calorimetry measures oxygen utilization rates via gas analysis to calculate energy expenditure. These measures are accurate but they are expensive, time consuming and difficult to access.
The Mifflin Equation
The Mifflin-St Jeor equation, created in the 1990s, provides a reasonably valid estimate of Resting Energy Expenditure.
The equations for males and females are:
Men: (10 × weight in kg) + (6.25 × height in cm) – (5 × age in years) + 5
Women: (10 × weight in kg) + (6.25 × height in cm) – (5 × age in years) – 161
Can I take away?
REE
Resting Energy Expenditure (REE) is the number of calories that your body burns while it’s at rest.
Mifflin
The Mifflin Prediction equation is used to estimate resting energy expenditure (REE).
Does the science weigh up?
Green Flag
The Mifflin equation has been well researched. The original 1990 research involved 498 healthy subjects.
Not Stinky
Calorie calculators, using the Mifflin Equation, are free and non-invasive tools for a rough guide of Resting Energy Expenditure.
