Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR)

is the amount of energy you need while resting in a temperate environment during the post-absorptive state, or when your digestive system is inactive. In such a state, your energy will be used only to maintain your vital organs, which include the heart, lungs, kidneys, the nervous system, intestines, liver, lungs, sex organs, muscles, and skin. The BMR decreases with age and increases with muscle mass.

The BMR is measured under very restrictive circumstances while awake. An accurate BMR measurement requires that a person's sympathetic nervous system is inactive, which means the person must be completely rested. Basal metabolism is usually the largest component of a person's total caloric needs. The daily calorie needs is the BMR value multiplied by a factor with a value between 1.2 and 1.9, depending on the activity level.

In most situations, the BMR is estimated with equations summarized from statistical data. The most commonly used one is the Mifflin - St Jeor equation:

BMR = 10 * weight(kg) + 6.25 * height(cm) - 5 * age(y) + 5         (man)
BMR = 10 * weight(kg) + 6.25 * height(cm) - 5 * age(y) - 161     (woman) 

Body Mass Index (BMI) 

is a measurement of your body weight based on your height and weight. Although your BMI does not actually "measure" your percentage of body fat, it is a useful tool to estimate a healthy body weight based on your height. Due to its ease of measurement and calculation, it is the most widely used diagnostic indicator to identify a person's optimal weight depending on his height. Your BMI "number" will inform you if you are underweight, of normal weight, overweight, or obese. However, due to the wide variety of body types, the distribution of muscle and bone mass, etc., it is not appropriate to use this as the only or final indication for diagnosis.

The formulas to calculate BMI based on two of the most commonly used unit systems:

BMI = weight(kg)/height2(m2)         (Metric Units)
BMI = 703·weight(lb)/height2(in2)         (U.S. Units)

 Food Calorie Calculator

Find nutrition facts including calories, fat, carbohydrates, protein, sugar, fiber in over 37,000 foods and beverages.

The Calorie Calculator can be used to estimate the calories you need to consume each day. This calculator can also provide some simple guideline if you want to gain or lose weight. Use the "metric units" tab if you are more comfortable with the international standard metric units.

 Healthy Weight Calculator

This calculator gives out the healthy body weight range based on the body height for both man and women. This calculator works best for adults of age 18 or older.