Basal metabolic rate (BMR)
Basal metabolic rate (BMR) is the average daily amount of energy needed by a body when it is at rest. Heredity, height, body composition, and age determines a person's basal metabolic rate.
The energy in a person's basal metabolic rate is used to maintain body temperature and to power the heartbeat, breathing, and other organ functions. The average person's basal metabolic rate accounts for about two-thirds of the energy he or she expends.
| Author | Jeannette Curtis |
| Author | Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS |
| Editor | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS |
| Editor | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA |
| Associate Editor | Tracy Landauer |
| Associate Editor | Pat Truman |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Patrice Burgess, MD - Family Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine |
| Last Updated | May 25, 2007 |
WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise
Last Updated:
May 25, 2007
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