BMR is calculated by converting weight to kilograms and multiplying by 24, with adjustments for gender. Which of the following describes that adjustment?

BMR is calculated by converting weight to kilograms and multiplying by 24, with adjustments for gender. Which of the following describes that adjustment?

• A. Multiply by 0.9 for females and by 1 for males
• B. Multiply by 0.8 for females and by 1.2 for males
• C. Multiply by 1.1 for females and by 0.9 for males
• D. Multiply by 1 for both genders

Answer: (A)

BMR adjustments reflect that, on average, men have a higher resting energy expenditure than women due to greater lean body mass. When using the simple rule of weight in kilograms times 24, the sex adjustment is to multiply by 0.9 for females and by 1 for males. So a female’s estimated BMR becomes weight × 24 × 0.9, while a male’s becomes weight × 24 × 1. This captures the typical 10% lower BMR in women for the same weight. Keep in mind this is a rough estimate. Real BMR varies with age, height, body composition, hormones, and activity level. Other multipliers (like 0.8/1.2 or 1.1/0.9) would imply different sex differences or even reverse the expected relationship, and using 1 for both would ignore sex differences entirely.

BMR adjustments reflect that, on average, men have a higher resting energy expenditure than women due to greater lean body mass. When using the simple rule of weight in kilograms times 24, the sex adjustment is to multiply by 0.9 for females and by 1 for males. So a female’s estimated BMR becomes weight × 24 × 0.9, while a male’s becomes weight × 24 × 1. This captures the typical 10% lower BMR in women for the same weight.

Keep in mind this is a rough estimate. Real BMR varies with age, height, body composition, hormones, and activity level. Other multipliers (like 0.8/1.2 or 1.1/0.9) would imply different sex differences or even reverse the expected relationship, and using 1 for both would ignore sex differences entirely.