Your resting metabolic rate, or RMR, is the measure of calories your body uses while at rest. Even when inactive, there is metabolic activity in your body. Knowing your RMR can help prevent obesity.
Formula
The Mifflin equation, developed by researchers at the University of Nevada School of Medicine, calculates the number of calories you burn when inactive for an entire day. A male uses this formula: (10 x weight in kilograms) + (6.25 x height in centimeters) -- (5 x age in years) + 5 = RMR. Females use this formula: (10 x weight kilograms) + (6.25 x height in centimeters) -- (5 x age in years) -- 161 = RMR.
Considerations
Because your resting metabolic rate fluctuates over time, for the most accuracy, you will need to calculate your RMR regularly. As you get older or lose inches and weight, your RMR will decrease, according to MayoClinic.com.
Weight Maintenance
Knowing your RMR is a great way to determine how many calories you need daily to maintain your current weight. You get this number by multiplying your RMR by a number that represents your activity level: 1.2 if you are inactive, 1.55 if you exercise three to five days a week and 1.725 if you exercise most days of the week.
References
- The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition: A New Predictive Equation for Resting Energy Expenditure in Healthy Individuals
- BMI-Calculator.net: Harris Benedict Equation
- Journal of the American Dietetic Association: Comparison of Predictive Equations for Resting Metabolic Rate in Healthy Nonobese and Obese Adults
- Marquette General Health System: What Is "Resting Metabolic Rate"?
- MayoClinic.com: Metabolism and Weight Loss
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