Basal Metabolic Rate
Calories your body burns at complete rest — the foundation of energy expenditure.
Plain English
Patient-Friendly Explanation
Your BMR is the number of calories your body burns just to stay alive — breathing, thinking, pumping blood. It accounts for 60-75% of your daily calorie burn.
Medical
Clinical Definition
BMR is measured under strict conditions (12h fasted, thermoneutral environment). Predictive equations (Mifflin-St Jeor) estimate BMR from weight, height, age, and sex. Lean body mass is the main determinant.
Key Insight
Why It Matters
BMR decreases with weight loss (metabolic adaptation), making continued weight loss harder. Medical supervision helps adjust strategies as metabolism changes.
Sources
Reviewed against standard medical references.
Medically reviewed by
Family Physician & Registered Acupuncturist, Accord Medical Clinic. MBBS (NUS), Graduate Diploma in Family Medicine (NUS), Graduate Diploma in Acupuncture (Singapore College of TCM).
Last reviewed: August 2026
This page is general health education, not medical advice. Whether any treatment is appropriate for you is a decision made in consultation after assessment.