If you’ve ever stepped on a scale or heard someone talk about their body mass index (BMI), basal metabolic rate (BMR), or metabolism, then you know that these terms are related to health and fitness. But what do they mean? How can knowing these concepts help you make better decisions about your health? Let’s dive into the basics of BMI, BMR, and metabolism to learn more.
What is BMI?
Body Mass Index (BMI) is a popular metric used to measure the relationship between height and weight. It is calculated by dividing your weight in kilograms by your height in meters squared (kg/m2). The resulting number gives an indication of your body fat percentage; however, it does not take into account other factors such as muscle mass or bone density. Generally speaking, a healthy adult should have a BMI between 18.5 – 25.0 kg/m2.
What is BMR?
Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) is the amount of energy your body needs for basic functioning at rest — things like breathing, digestion, and circulation — without taking any physical activity into account. Your BMR can be affected by several factors including age, gender, genetics, lifestyle habits such as smoking or drinking alcohol ,and medication use. Knowing your BMR can help you make informed decisions about how many calories you need each day to maintain a healthy weight range.
What is Metabolism?
Metabolism refers to the process by which food is converted into energy in order to fuel our bodies. Our metabolic rate is determined by how quickly our bodies break down food molecules into energy that can be used for various bodily processes such as muscle contraction and brain function. There are two types of metabolism – catabolic metabolism which breaks down molecules for energy production and anabolic metabolism which builds new molecules from existing ones – but both types rely on dietary intake for fuel. Eating a balanced diet with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables will help ensure that your metabolic rate stays high so that you can remain energized throughout the day!
Understanding BMI, BMR, and metabolism can be helpful when it comes to making smarter decisions about our health and fitness goals. By knowing our BMI we can assess our body fat percentage; with knowledge of our BMR we can determine how many calories we need per day; and by understanding metabolism we can make sure we are eating enough nutritious foods to keep our energy levels up! With this information in hand we have all the tools necessary to lead healthier lifestyles!
