Basal Metabolic Rate

• BMR is the number of calories body needs to accomplish its most basic (basal) life-sustaining functions .

• the minimum thermal energy required by the body to carry out necessary physiological functions is produced, its rate (per sq mt of body surface per hour) is called Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR)

Unit of BMR

Body Mass Index (BMI)

Importance of BMR

• recommending foods with appropriate caloric value.

• To identify various pathological conditions (especially of thyroidgland. and hypoactive states).

• To observe the effect of various foods and drugs on BMR.

Factors Controlling BMR

• Age BMR and age are generally inversely related

• Sex Males have higher BMR than females

• Surface area

• Hormones

• Body temperature

• Habit

• Diet

• Drugs

• Smoking

• Pregnancy