APPLIED PUBLIC HEALTH NUTRITION ASSIGNMENT

Measuring Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR)



Contents Page

Introduction 1, 2

Method 2

Result 3,4,5,6

Part A: Calibration

Part B: Evaluating total 24 h energy expenditure

Part C: Identify Energy Balance

Discussion 7, 8

Conclusion 9

References 10

Appendixes 11, 12, 13

Introduction

Describe the reason for measuring BMR:

The objective of this experiment is to measure BMR in humans using Alpha Oxycon in order to better understand obesity. The BMR value can enhance our knowledge of energy expenditure in outlets such as Dietary Induced Thermogenesis, growth and physical activity, and in turn of energy balance, this balance of which is not maintained by sufferers of obesity. Thus, this combined information can present a useful means of study of the obesity condition.

Basal metabolic rate (BMR) refers to the amount of energy required to sustain basic and essential functions when the body is at rest to fuel respiration, circulation and nervous activities (Geoffrey, 2002). The energy requirements for growth are also relevant in terms of developing children. In order to experimentally deduce the BMR of a subject, the person must be at total rest although not asleep, in a thermoneutral setting (26-300 C), and it should not be measured until at least 12-14 hours after the last consumed meal. These factors make for a more accurate BMR value; BMR is either defined as the heat output from the body, or the rate of oxygen consumption, and so the generation of heat that accompanies processes such as eating must be considered and thus extracted (Geissler and Powers, 2009).

The purpose of this experiment was to measure Basal metabolic rate (BMR) using Alpha Oxycon and the daily rate of energy expenditure. In order to achieve this, it was necessary to find out the time spent on each activity within the 1440 minutes endowed in a 24 hour period time frame, and hence assess the metabolic cost of each activity. Previous findings show the connection between body size, and the particular significance of fat free mass, and BMR value; the factors of weight, height, gender and age influence these (Nogueira and Costa, 2009). In women and men of the same age, men have relatively higher BMR values due to greater fat-free mass and muscularity. In terms of different age groups, young people have greater fat-free mass and thus higher BMR values than older people.

There is no doubt that the intake of nutritious foods via adherence to an appropriate diet plan, in addition to participation in regular physical activity, plays a crucial role in the leading of a healthy life style and energy balance.

For the purposes of this study, the subject's diet plan for a typical 24 hour time period was recorded, with particular attention paid to their basal metabolic rate (BMR), weight, height and degree of physical activeness.

References

Diet plan 6 Software (appendix 2.a) was utilised to evaluate the foods contained in the subject's diet plan in terms of the different nutrients, as well as their amounts, it supplied. In order to enable comparison with the R.N.I (references nutrient intake); the energy intake per ...