Tanita SC-240 Instruction Manual page 20

Various criteria
- What is basal metabolic rate (BMR)?
WHAT IS BMR?
Your Basal Metabolic Rate(BMR) is the minimum level of energy your body needs when at rest to
function effectively including your respiratory and circulatory organs, neural system, liver, kidneys,
and other organs. You burn calories when sleeping.
About 70% of calories consumed every day are used for your basal metabolism. In addition, energy
is used when doing any kind of activity however; the more vigorous the activity is the more calories
are burned. This is because skeletal muscle (which accounts for approximately 40% of your body
weight) acts as your metabolic engine and uses a large amount of energy. Your basal metabolism is
greatly affected by the quantity of muscles you have, therefore increasing your muscle mass will help
increase your basal metabolism.
By studying healthy individuals, scientists have found that as people age, their metabolic rate
changes. Basal metabolism rises as a child matures. After a peak at the age of 16 or 17, it typically
starts to decrease gradually.
Having a higher basal metabolism will increase the number of calories used and help to decrease the
amount of body fat. A low basal metabolic rate will make it harder to lose body fat and overall weight.
HOW DOES A TANITA BODY COMPOSITION ANALYZER CALCULATE BMR?
The basic way of calculating Basal Metabolic Rate BMR is a standard equation using weight and age.
Tanita has conducted in-depth research into the relationship of BMR and body composition giving a
much more accurate and personalized reading for the user based on the impedance measurement.
This method has been medically validated using indirect calorimetry (measuring the breath
composition).*
* Reliability on
equation for Basal Metabolic Rate: At 2002 Nutrition Week : A Scientific and Clinical Forum and
Exposition Title: International Comparison: Resting Energy Expenditure Prediction Models: The American Journal of
al Nutrition
Clinic
- What is metabolic age?
This feature calculates your BMR and indicates the average age associated with that type of
metabolism.
If your BMR Age is higher than your actual age, it is an indication that you need to improve your
metabolic rate. Increased exercise will build healthy muscle tissue, which will improve your
metabolic age.
You will obtain a reading between 12 and 90. Under 12 will be displayed as "12" and over 90
displayed as "90".
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(continued)
(Applicable age 18 - 99)
(Applicable age 18 - 99)