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How does resting energy expenditure differ from basal metabolic rate?
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human nutrition
MyPlate, a revised set of dietary guidelines introduced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in 2011, divides the four basic food groups (fruits, grains, protein, and vegetables) into sections on a plate, the size of each section representing the relative dietary proportions of each food group. The small blue circle shown at the upper right illustrates the inclusion and recommended proportion of dairy products in the diet.
While the terms basal metabolic rate (BMR) and resting energy expenditure (REE) are often used interchangeably, they differ primarily in the strictness of the conditions under which they are measured.1
Key Differences
- Measurement Conditions: BMR is a precisely defined measure determined under standardized, controlled conditions: shortly after awakening, at least 12 hours after the last meal, and in a comfortable room temperature. In contrast, REE is determined under less stringent conditions, typically with the individual resting comfortably about 2 to 4 hours after a meal.1
- Practical Application: Because the strict requirements for BMR are difficult to achieve, it is rarely measured in practice. REE is used as a more convenient alternative.1
- Numerical Variance: In practice, BMR and REE differ by no more than 10 percent, with the REE usually being slightly higher due to the influence of recent food intake.1
Both metrics represent the energy required to support basic life processes, such as breathing, pumping blood, and maintaining body temperature, and are primarily correlated with an individual's lean body mass.1