1. What is the Mifflin-St Jeor Equation?

The Mifflin-St Jeor equation calculates Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR), which represents the number of calories your body needs at complete rest to maintain basic physiological functions. It's considered one of the most accurate BMR formulas for healthy individuals.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Mifflin-St Jeor equation:

Where:

• \( Weight \) — Body weight in kilograms
• \( Height \) — Height in centimeters
• \( Age \) — Age in years
• \( Gender\_factor \) — +5 for men, -161 for women

Explanation: The equation accounts for the fact that men generally have more muscle mass than women of the same weight, and that metabolism slows with age.

3. Importance of BMR Calculation

Details: Knowing your BMR helps determine your daily calorie needs for weight maintenance, loss, or gain. It's the foundation for most calorie requirement calculations.

4. Using the Calculator

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

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How is BMR different from TDEE?
A: BMR is calories burned at complete rest. TDEE (Total Daily Energy Expenditure) includes activity and is typically 1.2-2.5× BMR depending on activity level.

Q2: Why does gender affect BMR?
A: Men generally have more muscle mass and less body fat than women of the same weight, leading to higher calorie needs.

Q3: How accurate is this formula?
A: It's about 70% accurate for most people. For more precision, consider body composition testing.

Q4: Does this work for athletes?
A: It may underestimate needs for very muscular individuals and overestimate for those with high body fat percentages.

Q5: How often should I recalculate my BMR?
A: Recalculate after significant weight changes (5+ kg) or annually as you age.