Mifflin-St Jeor Equation

The Mifflin-St Jeor equation is a widely used tool to determine the resting metabolic rate [RMR], which is defined as the number of calories burned while the body is in complete rest. RMR is also known as resting energy expenditure [REE]. The equation was developed by MD Mifflin and ST St Jeor and first introduced in a paper published in 1990.

There are several equations for measuring RMR, including the most popular Harris-Benedict equation which was developed in 1919 and revised for accuracy in 1984. A comparative study of four predictive equations found that the Mifflin-St Jeor equation is more likely than the other equations to predict RMR to within 10% of that measured.

Formula

Females: (10*weight [kg]) + (6.25*height [cm]) – (5*age [years]) – 161
Males: (10*weight [kg]) + (6.25*height [cm]) – (5*age [years]) + 5

Multiply by scale factor for activity level:
Sedentary *1.2
Lightly active *1.375
Moderately active *1.55
Active *1.725
Very active *1.9