Question: What Is the Harris-Benedict Formula?
I've used your calorie calculators to determine how many calories I need each day, but now I want to know more about the formula you used. What is the Harris - Benedict formula and is it accurate?
Jamie - About.com User
Answer: The Harris - Benedict formula is used to determine your basal metabolic rate (BMR), which also called your resting energy expenditure (EER). Your basal metabolic rate is determined by your gender, age and body size, and calculating this number tells you how about how many calories you burn just being alive and awake. Of course, since you get out of bed and move around every day, you need to adjust this number. You can determine your active metabolic rate (AMR) by multiplying your BMR by a number representing on your activity levels. This number ranges from 1.2 for being sedentary, up to 1.9 for being extra active. Here's how it works:
Women: BMR = 655 + (4.35 x weight in pounds) + (4.7 x height in inches) - (4.7 x age in years)
Men: BMR = 66 + (6.23 x weight in pounds) + (12.7 x height in inches) - (6.8 x age in years)
