The Harris–Benedict equation (also called the Harris-Benedict principle) is a method used to estimate an individual's
basal metabolic rate
Basal metabolic rate (BMR) is the rate of energy expenditure per unit time by endothermic animals at rest. It 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/(h·kg). Pro ...
(BMR).
The estimated BMR value may be multiplied by a number that corresponds to the individual's activity level; the resulting number is the approximate daily
kilocalorie
The calorie is a unit of energy. For historical reasons, two main definitions of "calorie" are in wide use. The large calorie, food calorie, or kilogram calorie was originally defined as the amount of heat needed to raise the temperature of on ...
intake to maintain current
body weight.
The Harris-Benedict equation may be used to assist weight loss — by reducing the kilocalorie intake number below the estimated maintenance intake of the equation.
Calculating the Harris-Benedict BMR
The original Harris–Benedict equations were published in 1918 and 1919.
The Harris–Benedict equations revised by Roza and Shizgal in 1984.
The 95% confidence range for men is ±213.0 kcal/day, and ±201.0 kcal/day for women.
The Harris–Benedict equations revised by
Mifflin and St Jeor in 1990:
History
The Harris-Benedict equation sprang from a study by
James Arthur Harris and
Francis Gano Benedict
Francis Gano Benedict (October 3, 1870 – April 14, 1957) was an American chemist, physiologist, and nutritionist who developed a calorimeter and a spirometer used to determine oxygen consumption and measure metabolic rate.
Biography
Born in ...
, which was published in 1919 by the
Carnegie Institution of Washington
The Carnegie Institution of Washington (the organization's legal name), known also for public purposes as the Carnegie Institution for Science (CIS), is an organization in the United States established to fund and perform scientific research. Th ...
in the
monographbr>
A Biometric Study Of Basal Metabolism In Man A 1984
revision
Revision is the process of revising.
More specifically, it may refer to:
* Update, a modification of software or a database
* Revision control, the management of changes to sets of computer files
* ''ReVisions'', a 2004 anthology of alternate hi ...
improved its accuracy. Mifflin et al. published an equation more predictive for modern lifestyles in 1990.
[ Later work produced BMR estimators that accounted for lean body mass.
]
Issues in dietary use
As the BMR equations do not attempt to take into account body composition, identical results can be calculated for a very muscular person, and an overweight person, who are both the same height, weight, age and gender. As muscle and fat require differing amounts of calories to maintain, the TEE estimates will not be accurate for such cases.
The paper behind the latest update (Mifflin et al) to the BMR formula states all participants in their study fall within the 'normal' and 'overweight' body mass index (BMI) categories, and so the results also do not necessarily apply to those in the 'underweight' or 'obese' BMI categories.
See also
* Food energy
Food energy is chemical energy that animals (including humans) derive from their food to sustain their metabolism, including their muscular activity.
Most animals derive most of their energy from aerobic respiration, namely combining the carbohy ...
* Resting metabolic rate Resting metabolic rate (RMR) is whole-body mammal (and other vertebrate) metabolism during a time period of strict and steady ''resting conditions'' that are defined by a combination of assumptions of physiological homeostasis and biological equili ...
* Institute of Medicine Equation
* Schofield equation The Schofield Equation is a method of estimating the basal metabolic rate (BMR) of adult men and women published in 1985.
This is the equation used by the World Health Organization, WHO in their technical report series. The equation that is recomme ...
Cited sources
External links
Harris-Benedict BMI Calculator at WebMD
{{DEFAULTSORT:Harris-Benedict equation
Nutrition
Equations