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HarrisBenedict equation
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The HarrisBenedict equation (also called the Harris-Benedict principle) is a method used to estimate an
individual's basal metabolic rate (BMR) and daily kilocalorie requirements. The estimated BMR value is
multiplied by a number that corresponds to the individual's activity level. The resulting number is the
recommended daily kilocalorie intake to maintain current body weight.

The HarrisBenedict equation may be used to assist weight loss by reducing kilocalorie intake number below
the estimated maintenance intake of the equation.

Contents
1 Step 1 Calculating the HarrisBenedict BMR
2 Step 2 Determine Recommended Intake
3 History
4 See also
5 Cited sources
6 External links

Step 1 Calculating the HarrisBenedict BMR

The original HarrisBenedict equations published in 1918 and 1919.[1][2]

BMR calculation for men (metric) BMR = 66.5 + ( 13.75 weight in kg ) + ( 5.003 height in cm ) ( 6.755 age in years )

BMR calculation for men (imperial) BMR = 66 + ( 6.2 weight in pounds ) + ( 12.7 height in inches ) ( 6.76 age in years )

BMR calculation for women (metric) BMR = 655.1 + ( 9.563 weight in kg ) + ( 1.850 height in cm ) ( 4.676 age in years )

BMR calculation for women BMR = 655.1 + ( 4.35 weight in pounds ) + ( 4.7 height in inches ) - ( 4.7 age in years
(imperial) )

The HarrisBenedict equations revised by Roza and Shizgal in 1984.[3]

Men BMR = 88.362 + (13.397 weight in kg) + (4.799 height in cm) - (5.677 age in years)

Women BMR = 447.593 + (9.247 weight in kg) + (3.098 height in cm) - (4.330 age in years)

The 95% confidence range for men is 213.0 kcal/day, and 201.0 kcal/day for women.

The HarrisBenedict equations revised by Mifflin and St Jeor in 1990:[4]

Men BMR = (10 weight in kg) + (6.25 height in cm) - (5 age in years) + 5

Women BMR = (10 weight in kg) + (6.25 height in cm) - (5 age in years) - 161

Step 2 Determine Recommended Intake

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The following table enables calculation of an individual's recommended daily kilocalorie intake to maintain current
weight.[5]

Little to no exercise Daily kilocalories needed = BMR x 1.2

Light exercise (13 days per week) Daily kilocalories needed = BMR x 1.375

Moderate exercise (35 days per week) Daily kilocalories needed = BMR x 1.55

Heavy exercise (67 days per week) Daily kilocalories needed = BMR x 1.725

Very heavy exercise (twice per day, extra heavy workouts) Daily kilocalories needed = BMR x 1.9

History
The HarrisBenedict equation sprang from a study by James Arthur Harris and Francis Gano Benedict, which was
published in 1919 by the Carnegie Institution of Washington in the monograph A Biometric Study Of Basal
Metabolism In Man (https://archive.org/details/biometricstudyof00harruoft). A 1984 revision improved its
accuracy. Mifflin et al. published an equation more predictive for modern lifestyles in 1990.[4] Later work
produced BMR estimators that accounted for lean body mass.

See also
Food energy
James Arthur Harris
Basal metabolic rate
Resting metabolic rate

Cited sources
1. Harris JA, Benedict FG (1918). "A Biometric Study of Human Basal Metabolism" (https://www.ncbi.nlm.ni
h.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1091498). Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of
America. 4 (12): 3703. PMC 1091498 (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1091498) .
PMID 16576330 (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16576330). doi:10.1073/pnas.4.12.370 (https://doi.
org/10.1073%2Fpnas.4.12.370).
2. A Biometric Study of Basal Metabolism in Man (https://archive.org/details/biometricstudyof00harruoft). J.
Arthur Harris and Francis G. Benedict. Washington, DC: Carnegie Institution, 1919.
3. Roza AM, Shizgal HM (1984). "The Harris Benedict equation reevaluated: resting energy requirements and
the body cell mass" (http://www.ajcn.org/cgi/pmidlookup?view=long&pmid=6741850). The American
Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 40 (1): 16882. PMID 6741850 (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/67418
50).
4. Mifflin MD, St Jeor ST, Hill LA, Scott BJ, Daugherty SA, Koh YO (1990). "A new predictive equation for
resting energy expenditure in healthy individuals" (http://www.ajcn.org/cgi/pmidlookup?view=long&pmid=
2305711). The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 51 (2): 2417. PMID 2305711 (https://www.ncbi.nl
m.nih.gov/pubmed/2305711).
5. Harris Benedict formula for women and men (http://gottasport.com/weight-loss/71/harris-benedict-formula-f
or-women-and-men.html). GottaSport.com. Retrieved on 2011-10-27.

External links
Harris-Benedict BMR Calculator at WebMD (http://www.webmd.com/diet/healthtool-metabolism-calculato
r)
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8/30/2017 HarrisBenedict equation - Wikipedia

About.com's BMR Calculator (http://walking.about.com/cs/calories/l/blcalcalc.htm)

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This page was last edited on 17 March 2017, at 05:36.

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