what is bmr

BMR stands for Basal Metabolic Rate, which is the rate of energy expenditure per unit time by endothermic animals at rest. It is the amount of energy expended while at rest in a neutrally temperate environment, and in a post-absorptive state. BMR is reported in energy units per unit time ranging from watt (joule/second) to ml O2/min or joule per hour per kg body mass J/ . An accurate BMR measurement requires that a persons sympathetic nervous system is inactive, which means the person must be completely rested. BMR is a flexible trait that can be reversibly adjusted within individuals, with lower temperatures generally resulting in higher basal metabolic rates for both birds and rodents. BMR is usually the largest component of a persons total caloric needs. The daily caloric need is the BMR value multiplied by a factor with a value between 1.2 and 1.9, depending on activity level. BMR can be used to help gain, lose, or maintain weight by knowing how many calories one burns and how many to consume.