How many calories does my body burn at rest?
Your body burns calories at rest through your basal metabolic rate (BMR). For many adults, BMR represents about 60 to 75% of total daily energy expenditure. It can be estimated with the Mifflin-St Jeor formula, then adjusted with an activity factor.
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This answer helps you understand a topic or make an estimate, but it is not a substitute for professional advice. For any important decision regarding your health, finances, rights, safety or administrative procedures, please consult an official source or a qualified specialist.
Explanation
Basal metabolic rate, or BMR, is the minimum amount of energy your body uses at rest to keep vital functions running: breathing, heartbeat, body temperature, brain activity and organ function.
A common way to estimate BMR is the Mifflin-St Jeor formula. It uses weight, height, age and sex to estimate the calories burned at rest. To estimate total daily energy expenditure, also called TDEE, multiply BMR by an activity factor.
This result is useful for understanding maintenance calories, planning weight loss, estimating weight gain targets or comparing different activity levels. It remains an estimate, not a medical measurement.
Formula / method
BMR men = 10 × weight (kg) + 6.25 × height (cm) - 5 × age + 5 • BMR women = 10 × weight (kg) + 6.25 × height (cm) - 5 × age - 161
Concrete example
For a 30-year-old woman weighing 65 kg and measuring 170 cm: BMR ≈ 10 × 65 + 6.25 × 170 - 5 × 30 - 161 = 1,401 kcal/day at rest.
Common mistake
BMR is only an estimate of calories burned at rest. It does not include physical activity, digestion or individual differences in body composition. To estimate daily calorie needs, multiply it by an appropriate activity factor.
Sources & methodology
Mifflin-St Jeor equation for estimating basal metabolic rate: men = 10 × weight + 6.25 × height - 5 × age + 5; women = 10 × weight + 6.25 × height - 5 × age - 161. The result is an informational estimate and should be adjusted based on activity level and individual context.
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