Dietitians commonly use the Harris-Benedict equation to determine the BMR (REE) of persons over the age of 18. This equation uses height, weight, and age as factors and results in a more individualized estimate of the REE than some other methods.
Another method used to estimate one’s BMR, or REE, is the following:
1. Convert body weight from pounds to kilograms (kg) by dividing pounds by 2.2 (2.2 pounds equal 1 kilogram).
2. Multiply the kilograms by 24 (hours per day).
3. Multiply the answer obtained in step 2 above by 0.9 for a woman and by 1.0 for a man.
For example, assume that a woman weighs 110 pounds. Divide 110 by 2.2 for an answer of 50 kg. Multiply 50 kg by 24 hours in a day for an answer of 1,200 calories. Then multiply 1,200 calories by 0.9 for an answer of 1,080 calories. This is the estimated basal metabolic energy requirement for that particular woman.
Female: REE = 655 + (9.6 × weight in kg) + (1.8 × height in cm) – (4.7 × age)
Male: REE = 66 + (13.7 × weight in kg) + (5 × height in cm) – (6.8 × age)
W = weight in kilograms (kg) (weight in pounds ÷ 2.2 = kg)
H = height in centimenters (cm) (height in inches x 2.54 = cm)
A = age in years
