Basal Energy Expenditure
What factors influence daily energy needs? Total energy expenditure includes:
- Basal metabolic rate. This reflects the energy the body needs for basic functions while at rest.
- Dietary-induced thermogenesis, or the thermic effect of food. This is the energy the body needs to digest and absorb food.
- The thermic effect of activity. This is the most variable as it reflects the energy needed for physical activity. For sedentary individuals this could be as low as 15% of total energy expenditure but for athletes it could be as high as 80%.
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Basal
Energy Expenditure:
Harris-Benedict Equation
Estimate basal energy expenditure using the Harris-Benedict equations.
For men,
B.E.E. = 66.5 + (13.75 x kg) + (5.003 x cm) - (6.775 x age)
For women,
B.E.E. = 655.1 + (9.563 x kg) + (1.850 x cm) - (4.676 x age)
Total Caloric Requirements equal the B.E.E. multiplied by the sum of
the stress and activity factors. Stress plus activity factors range
from 1.2 to over 2.
*Cornell University Calculators
Harris-Benedict Equation
Estimate basal energy expenditure using the Harris-Benedict equations.
For men,
B.E.E. = 66.5 + (13.75 x kg) + (5.003 x cm) - (6.775 x age)
For women,
B.E.E. = 655.1 + (9.563 x kg) + (1.850 x cm) - (4.676 x age)
Total Caloric Requirements equal the B.E.E. multiplied by the sum of the stress and activity factors. Stress plus activity factors range from 1.2 to over 2.
*Cornell University Calculators