What is the Difference Between BMR and TDEE?

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The difference between BMR (Basal Metabolic Rate) and TDEE (Total Daily Energy Expenditure) lies in the number of calories they represent and the factors they consider.

  • BMR is the basic number of calories you need to sustain life. It represents the energy your body needs to keep your heart pumping, circulation, lungs, brain, and other vital organs working, and to regulate your body temperature. BMR is typically calculated using your gender, weight, height, and age.
  • TDEE is the number of calories you burn every day, including both your BMR and the calories burned during normal activity and exercise. TDEE is a more comprehensive measure of your daily energy expenditure, as it takes into account not only your basic life-sustaining functions but also the energy you expend during physical activity and daily tasks.

To estimate TDEE, you can multiply your BMR by a value between 1.2 and 1.9 based on your activity level. For example, if you exercise 3-5 days per week, you would multiply your BMR by 1.55. In general, TDEE is the number you work off of for figuring out how to adjust macros or calories for body composition goals.

In summary, the key difference between BMR and TDEE is that BMR represents the calories needed for basic life-sustaining functions, while TDEE represents the total number of calories burned in a day, including both basic life-sustaining functions and daily activity/exercise.

Comparative Table: BMR vs TDEE

Here is a table comparing the differences between BMR (Basal Metabolic Rate) and TDEE (Total Daily Energy Expenditure):

BMR TDEE
Represents the number of calories your body burns at rest Represents the total number of calories you burn throughout the day, including activity and exercise
Theoretical bare minimum number of calories per day required to keep you alive even if you never move Takes into account your daily activities and exercise, in addition to your BMR
Typically constitutes about 70% of your TDEE Always higher than BMR, as it includes additional calories burned through activity and exercise
Can be calculated using gender, weight, height, and age Requires a more complex calculation, often involving a multiplier based on your activity level

Both BMR and TDEE are useful for understanding your body's energy needs and can help you set calorie goals for weight loss or maintenance. BMR is the basic number of calories you need to sustain life, while TDEE is the number of calories you burn every day, including activity and exercise.