Difference Between BMR and TDEE

The main difference between BMR and TDEE is that the BMR is the number of calories burned by an individual at rest while the TDEE is the sum of BMR and the additional calories expending through physical activities. Furthermore, TDEE is the parameter involved either in gaining or losing weight.

BMR (basal metabolic rate) and TDEE (total daily energy expenditure) are two types of calorie measurements that can be used to determine a healthy diet.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is BMR
     – Definition, Calculation, Importance
2. What is TDEE
     – Definition, Calculation, Importance
3. What are the Similarities Between BMR and TDEE
     – Outline of Common Features
4. What is the Difference Between BMR and TDEE
     – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

BMR (Basal Metabolic Rate), Harris–Benedict Equation, Healthy Diet, TDEE (Total Daily Energy Expenditure), Weight Gain, Weight Loss

What is BMR

BMR (basal metabolic rate) is the number of calories burning at rest. It can be calculated either by using a BMR calculator or by Harris–Benedict equation.

BMR indicates the energy required by the body to perform metabolism or basic, life-sustaining functions including circulation, breathing, nutrient processing, cell production, protein synthesis, ion transport, etc. A number of factors such as sex, age, body composition, and genetic factors are involved in the determination of BMR of an individual. The only factor that can be changed here is the body composition in order to boost the metabolism. Body composition is the ratio of fat to lean mass of the body. The lean mass includes bone, muscle, and organs.

What is TDEE

TDEE (total daily energy expenditure) is the number of calories required by the body for basic metabolism and physical activities. Hence, the value of TDEE is always higher than BMR. TDEE is one of the main parameters that can be used for either weight gain or weight loss. Once the BMR is calculated, the objective and the effort can be determined by following the guild lines below.

Objective:

• 1 to 1.3 for weight gain
• 0 for maintaining
• 8 to 1.0 for weight loss

Effort:

• 2 for sedentary people with desk jobs and no sports;
• 4 for people who practice light sports 1 to 3 times a week;
• 5 or people with moderate exercise 2 to 4 times a week or jobs which involve physical activity;
• 7 for people who practice sport 4+ times a week or a job with a considerable amount of physical activity;
• 8 for active people who practice sports and have a job with a considerable amount of physical activity.

Hence, TDEE should be;

Similarities Between BMR and TDEE

• BMR and TDEE are two types of measurements of calories used by the body.
• Both are important in the determination of a healthy diet.

Difference Between BMR and TDEE

Definition

BMR refers to the rate of metabolism that occurs when an individual is at rest in a warm environment and is in the postabsorptive state, and has not eaten for at least 12 hours while TDEE refers to the number of calories burnt per 24 hours.

Significance

Whereas BMR is the amount of energy required by the basic metabolism of the body, TDEE is the amount of energy required by both basic metabolism and physical activities. This is the main difference between BMR and TDEE.

Value

When we look at these two values, BMR is the basic energy requirement of the body at rest while TDEE value is always higher than BMR.

Calculation

While BMR value can be calculated by Harris-Benedict equation, TDEE value is calculated by multiplying BMR by an activity multiplier.

Weight Gain/Loss

BMR has no effect on weight gain or weight loss. However, calorie intake should be more than TDEE for weight gain while calories intake should be less than TDEE for weight loss.

Conclusion

BMR is the number of calories required by the basic metabolism of the body at rest while TDEE is the total energy required by the body when exercise is taken into account. TDEE is important in weight gain or weight loss. The main difference between BMR and TDEE is the type of energy taken into account by each parameter.

Reference:

1. “BMI & BMR.” Lose Baby Weight, Available Here
2. “TDEE Calculator.” TDEE Calculator: Learn Your Total Daily Energy Expenditure, Available Here