Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) Everybody requires a minimum number of calories to live. This minimum number is called the basal metabolic rate ( BMR ). Your BMR is the number of calories your organs need to function while you perform no activity whatsoever. You can think of it as the amount of energy you'd burn if you stayed in bed all day. An average man has a BMR of around 7,100 kJ per day, while an average woman has a BMR of around 5,900 kJ per day. Metabolism Summary 1 Metabolism refers to the countless chemical processes going on continuously inside the body that allow life and normal functioning. 2 The amount of kilojoules your body burns at any given time is affected by your metabolism. 3 Your metabolic rate is influenced by many factors – including age, gender, muscle-to-fat ratio, ...
B ody mass index ( BMI ) Your Body mass index ( BMI ) is a good indicator of your nutritional status. It takes into account your weight and height, and correlates well with total body fat expressed as a percentage of body weight. If you take your weight in kilograms and divide it by your height in metres squared, the figure you obtain is your BMI. Summary BMI is an approximate measure of your total body fat . Your waist circumference is a better predictor of health risk than your BMI. Being underweight or overweight can cause health problems, especially if you are also inactive. BMI = ___weight (kg)___ height x height (m 2 ) BMI calculations ...