Factors affecting the BMR

a) Growth period : rises during growth.

b) Surface area : smaller person tend to have a higher rate of metabolism per unit of surface area than large person.

c) Sex : women generally have a low BMR than men because the body surface is gender specific.

d) Pregnancy : because of increase in muscle mass of the uterus, size of mammary glands, fetal mass and placenta lead to increase in BMR.

e) Lactation period : milk production utilizes energy.

f) Fever : increases BMR about 7% for each 1degee F rise.

g) Climate : rises in response to lower temperature to maintain body temperature.

h) Disease : increases cellular activity.

I) Starvation and malnutrition : the BMR is usually lowered.

j) Obesity : no effect on BMR