1. What is the Mifflin-St Jeor Formula?

The Mifflin-St Jeor formula is a widely used equation for calculating basal metabolic rate (BMR), which represents the number of calories your body needs to perform basic life-sustaining functions at rest. It's considered one of the most accurate BMR formulas available.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Mifflin-St Jeor formula:

Where:

• \( Weight \) — Body weight in kilograms (kg)
• \( Height \) — Height in centimeters (cm)
• \( Age \) — Age in years
• +5 — Constant for men
• -161 — Constant for women

Explanation: The formula calculates your basal metabolic rate based on your body composition, height, age, and gender, providing an estimate of how many calories you burn at complete rest.

3. Importance of BMR Calculation

Details: Knowing your BMR is essential for weight management, creating effective diet plans, understanding your body's energy requirements, and setting appropriate calorie intake goals for weight loss, maintenance, or gain.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter your weight in kilograms, height in centimeters, age in years, and select your gender. All values must be valid (weight > 0, height > 0, age between 1-120). For best accuracy, use recent measurements.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why use Mifflin-St Jeor instead of other BMR formulas?
A: The Mifflin-St Jeor formula is considered more accurate than older formulas like Harris-Benedict, especially for obese individuals, as it was developed using more modern research methods.

Q2: What factors can affect my BMR?
A: BMR is influenced by body composition (muscle mass vs. fat mass), age, gender, genetics, thyroid function, and overall health status.

Q3: How often should I recalculate my BMR?
A: You should recalculate your BMR whenever you experience significant changes in weight, muscle mass, or age (typically every few months or after major lifestyle changes).

Q4: Is BMR the same as total daily energy expenditure (TDEE)?
A: No, BMR represents calories burned at complete rest. TDEE includes BMR plus calories burned through physical activity and digestion (thermic effect of food).

Q5: Can I use this calculation for weight loss planning?
A: Yes, knowing your BMR is the first step in creating a calorie deficit for weight loss. Most weight loss programs recommend creating a deficit of 500-1000 calories per day from your TDEE.