Metabolic Rate

Definition

Metabolic rate refers to the speed at which your body burns calories and turns them into energy. It affects how quickly or slowly you gain or lose weight.

Scientific / Technical Definition

Metabolic rate is the rate at which the body expends energy or burns calories. It encompasses all the chemical reactions involved in maintaining the living state of cells and the organism, including the basal metabolic rate, or the rate of energy expenditure per unit time by endothermic animals at rest.

Benefits

• Helps in weight management and achieving a healthy body composition.
• Influences energy levels and overall vitality.
• Plays a role in regulating body temperature.

Examples

• Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) - the rate of energy expenditure at rest.
• Total Daily Energy Expenditure (TDEE) - total calories burned in a day, including all activities.

Additional Information

• Effects: Metabolic rate affects how the body processes nutrients and is influenced by factors such as age, sex, muscle mass, and genetics.

Related Terms

• Basal Metabolic Rate
• Caloric Expenditure
• Energy Balance
• Thermogenesis

References

• The Biology of Metabolic Rate Variability
• Understanding Your Metabolism