resting metabolic rate

Last reviewed 01/2018

The resting metabolic rate is an index closely related to the basal metabolic rate. It is the background energy required for basic metabolic functions when lying quietly awake. It is more practical than BMR because it does not have to be measured at the time of minimal expenditure in the early hours of the morning.

Typically, it represents 60-70% of the total daily energy expenditure - approximately 20-24 kcal/kg/day - after subtraction of the energies of activity and dietary thermogenesis.