Basal Energy Expenditure

Basal Energy Expenditure (BEE) is the energy required for basic life processes measured in calories. You may also know it as the Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) or even as the Harris-Benedict equation, after it creators. It is calculated differently for males and females. The formula is as follows:

Males:	65.5 + (6.237 * weight in pounds) + (12.708 * height in inches) - (6.775 * age in years)
Females:	655.1 + (4.338 * weight in pounds) + (4.699 * height in inches) - (4.676 * age in years)

You should know that BEE computed in this manner might overestimate caloric needs of obese people. It was developed in 1919 when the average person was more of normal weight with a normal body fat percentage. A higher percentage of body fat will lower your body’s caloric needs.

“The higher your body fat percentage, the fewer calories you'll burn (lower activity level, and less muscle to burn calories). The lower your body fat percentage, the more calories you'll burn (bigger muscles burn more calories than little ones). Thus, it becomes much easier to get rid of fat permanently by increasing your metabolic rate. You do this by increasing both your muscle mass and your activity level. You can (and SHOULD) gain muscle mass and lose fat at the same time. Never sacrifice muscle tissue during the fat loss process. Instead, build more muscle to burn more calories. You'll lose more fat faster, and you'll be more likely to keep it off. The KEY is to control your calories!” (Quote from Dr. Squat's website. Fitness author Frederick C. Hatfield, Ph.D. is ISSA Co-founder and President, and three time winner of the World Championships in the sport of powerlifting)

This page is a help entry for the Free Simplebean Health Guide. To plan a healthy diet, use this MS Windows software to quickly calculate important health info such as your BMI, BEE, personalized daily calorie requirements and targets in carbs, proteins, and fats, and the target weight for your build. It is great for weight loss or maintenance. Click here for additional Help Topics.

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More about Nature's Sports Pharmacy by Frederick C. Hatfield Written by Dr. Hatfield and his son, the assistant strength coach for James Madison University, both nutrition and fitness authorities, this book teaches readers how foods are digested and assimilated by the body and how athletes can adapt their bodies to the stress of competitive training while enhancing their cardiac output and mental concentration. It is a must for everyone who is athletically inclined, including athletes and personal trainers interested in keeping their competitive abilities in this growing and competitive field. Athletes of all sports will benefit from it.

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