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Key takeaways
- Your body uses energy even at rest.
- Prediction equations estimate rather than measure energy use.
- Activity and individual physiology affect daily needs.
Energy at rest
Your body uses energy to support basic functions even while resting. Resting energy expenditure is one way to describe this baseline. It differs from your total daily energy use, which also includes activity.
Why calculators are estimates
The Mifflin–St Jeor equation predicts resting energy expenditure from age, height, weight, and the sex-specific coefficients used in its original study. It cannot account for every individual difference, so treat its output as a broad estimate.
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Sources & References
Medical information notice
This guide is for education and cannot replace advice from a qualified healthcare professional.
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