How BMI and BMR play a role in weight loss

Wondering what BMI and BMR mean? Here is all the information you need to understand weight loss perfectly.

Editorial Team | Updated: February 28, 2015 11:39 pm

We have often come across terms like BMI and BMR to calculate ideal weight from fitness gurus. But what do these terms really mean? How do they affect our weight loss goals in any way? Here’s what you need to know about these two fitness terms.

When we speak of BMI, we are referring to your Body Mass Index. It is a scale that helps indicate body fat composition. BMR on the other hand is Basal Metabolic Rate which is a measure of the amount of energy that our body needs to take care of important functions that are at rest. Your BMI and BMR are associated in the sense that the higher the body composition, the higher the BMR.

How to calculate BMI?

Calculating your BMI is quite an easy thing to do. You will have to divide your current weight in kilograms by your height in inches squared. An example would be: if you are 5 feet and 10 inches, and your current weight is 175 pounds, your BMI would come to something like 25.1. You could also take the help of an online calculator for this. (Read: What is Body Fat Percentage?)

How to calculate BMR?

Calculating your BMR may be quite a difficult process. The formula used for BMR is different for both the sexes. One of the easiest and simplest ways in which you could calculate your BMR is by using the calculator available online. The result you get will indicate how many calories your body actually requires to perform some of the most basic functions such as breathing, digesting food and carrying out daily activities. BMR also depends on the physical activity that you do throughout the day. You have to use an equation for this. One of the most famous formulas to calculate BMR is Harris Benedict Equation. It was developed back in the year 1918. It was later revised in the year 1948 which gave better results. (Read: World Obesity Day: 22 ways fat can kill you)

What is the difference between BMI and BMR?

BMI or Body Mass Index has been referred to as the statistical measurement of a person’s current body weight. It is however based on both the height and weight. It has often been used to determine what someone’s ideal weight should be. BMR on the other hand is a person’s Basal Metabolic Rate which is the number of calories a person should be consuming every day even if they haven’t done much apart from lying in bed doing nothing.

A person’s BMI tends to stay the same most of the time. As long as your height is the same, your ideal weight shall be falling into the same category. In fact, BMI is an indication that helps you to lose and/or gain weight and/or develop muscles. Your BMR on the hand will lower with age. As you get older, the rate of metabolism will actually begin to slow down. This makes it hard for you to eat what you like and still remain skinny. (Read: Can you give a diet plan for quick weight loss in 7 days?)

There are other things that also make our metabolism slow, such as eating foods that are unhealthy. If your body is expecting you to stay within a number of calories, depriving it of those will put it into shocks of different kinds. So, if you actually eat less, the metabolism rate in your body will lower. Yes if you continue eating in less amounts, there are chances you will begin to see quick weight loss. However, once you start eating regularly like you did, you will put back the weight faster than you thought.

A good exercise regimen can however help in increasing the basal metabolic rate. Bodies that are constantly on the move need a whole lot of food to stay healthy and fit. Do you have any clue as to how many calories athletes need on a regular basis in order to keep them going? When you begin to increase your activity, the metabolism is boosted instantly and the amount of fuel that your body requires is also increased. So if you want to stay in shape, stay active and eat healthy. (Read: Body Fat Percentage VS Body Mass Index (BMI) – which is a better indicator of health?)

Image source: Getty Images

Published: October 21, 2014 7:49 pm | Updated:February 28, 2015 11:39 pm

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