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.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Mifflin-St Jeor equation:

Where:

• \( weight \) — Weight in kilograms
• \( height \) — Height in centimeters
• \( age \) — Age in years
• \( gender\_factor \) — +5 for men, -161 for women
• \( activity\_factor \) — Multiplier based on activity level

Explanation: The equation estimates your resting calorie needs, then adjusts for activity level and creates a 500-calorie deficit for weight loss.

3. Importance of BMR Calculation

Details: Knowing your BMR helps create effective weight loss plans. A 500-calorie daily deficit typically results in about 1 pound (0.45 kg) of fat loss per week.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter your weight in kg, height in cm, age in years, select gender and activity level. For accurate results, measure your weight and height precisely.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why subtract 500 calories?
A: A 500-calorie daily deficit creates about 1 pound (0.45 kg) of weight loss per week, which is considered safe and sustainable.

Q2: What if I want to lose weight faster?
A: We don't recommend deficits greater than 1000 calories/day without medical supervision as this can lead to muscle loss and metabolic slowdown.

Q3: How accurate is this calculation?
A: It's an estimate. Individual variations in metabolism can cause actual needs to differ by ±10-15%.

Q4: Should I eat below my BMR?
A: Generally no - eating below BMR can trigger starvation responses. The deficit should come from your total daily energy expenditure (BMR × activity factor).

Q5: When should I recalculate?
A: Recalculate every 5-10 pounds lost, or if your activity level changes significantly.