1. What is BMR?

Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) is the number of calories your body needs to maintain basic physiological functions at rest. It accounts for 60-75% of daily calorie expenditure in most people.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Mifflin-St Jeor Equation for women:

Where:

• \( weight \) — Body weight in kilograms
• \( height \) — Height in centimeters
• \( age \) — Age in years

Explanation: This equation estimates the calories needed to maintain basic bodily functions like breathing, circulation, and cell production while at complete rest.

3. Importance of BMR Calculation

Details: Knowing your BMR helps determine daily calorie needs for weight maintenance, loss, or gain. It's the foundation for calculating Total Daily Energy Expenditure (TDEE).

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kg, height in cm, and age in years. For accurate results, measure weight in the morning after using the bathroom and before eating.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why is this equation specific to women?
A: Women generally have lower BMR than men due to differences in body composition (higher fat percentage and lower muscle mass on average).

Q2: What are typical BMR values for women?
A: Average BMR for women ranges from 1200-1600 kcal/day, but varies based on size, age, and body composition.

Q3: How does muscle mass affect BMR?
A: Muscle tissue burns more calories at rest than fat tissue, so women with more muscle mass will have higher BMR than the equation predicts.

Q4: Does BMR change with age?
A: Yes, BMR typically decreases about 1-2% per decade after age 20 due to loss of muscle mass and hormonal changes.

Q5: How accurate is this calculation?
A: It provides a good estimate (±10%) for most women. For precise measurement, indirect calorimetry is needed.