To maintain life-sustaining activities such as breathing, circulating blood, regulating body temperature, and cell growth, your body requires energy, even while at rest. This required energy is your Resting Energy Expenditure (REE) - a crucial component in the world of health and fitness.
Resting Energy Expenditure, also known as Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR), is the amount of energy, expressed in calories, that your body burns at rest. It represents the minimum amount of energy needed to keep your body functioning, including your heart beating, lungs breathing, and body temperature regulated.
Understanding your REE is essential for several reasons. Firstly, it accounts for a significant portion - about 60-75% - of the total energy expenditure in most sedentary adults. Secondly, it plays a pivotal role in your weight management as it helps determine the total number of calories you need each day. Lastly, it helps dietitians and health professionals tailor effective nutrition and fitness plans for individuals.
Scientifically, REE can be influenced by factors like age, sex, weight, body composition (fat mass vs. lean mass), and hormonal status. Research indicates that lean body mass has the biggest impact on REE. People with larger lean body masses tend to have higher REEs.
ergy Expenditure
While there are many equations to estimate REE, the most frequently used is The Mifflin St. Jeor Equation:
Male: 10 x weight (kg) + 6.25 x height (cm) - 5 x age (y) + 5
Female: 10 x weight (kg) + 6.25 x height (cm) - 5 x age (y) - 161
The use of REE provides valuable insights into an individual's energy needs and can help tailor dietary strategies for weight management. However, over-reliance on REE may overlook the importance of physical activity and dietary quality in overall energy balance and health.
Since lean body mass significantly affects REE, one way to improve it is by increasing your lean body mass through exercises like resistance or strength training.
Resting Energy Expenditure (REE) is the number of calories your body burns at rest, and it forms a significant part of your total energy expenditure. Knowing your REE can help tailor effective nutrition and fitness plans, but it's just one piece of the larger health and wellness puzzle.