Harris-Benedict Equation Calculator for Nutrition Professionals

The Harris-Benedict equation calculator is a helpful tool that can help you create personalized meal plans to fit each client's nutritional needs. Here’s what you need to know about BMR, and how you should use the Harris-Benedict equation calculator.

As a nutrition professional, it’s important to accurately assess your client’s calorie and nutrient requirements to ensure that you provide the best nutritional care possible.

You can do this by using the Harris-Benedict equation calculator, which uses your client’s BMR to determine caloric requirements. But what is it, why is it important, and how can you use it in your nutrition practice? Here’s what you need to know about this BMR calculator.

What is the Harris-Benedict equation calculator?

The Harris-Benedict equation is a formula that uses a person’s height, weight, age, and gender to calculate their basal metabolic rate (BMR). Since the BMR represents the major component of daily energy expenditure in humans, it is an important calculation for developing, understanding and executing weight-related interventions [1].

However, this may not be fully accurate for certain people, as this equation doesn’t take into consideration lean body mass and the ratio of muscle-to-fat.

To use the Harris Benedict equation, you have to determine your client’s BMR and then apply an activity factor to get an estimated number for their daily caloric needs [2].

Step 1: Determine BMR

• Men: BMR = 66.5 + (13.75 x weight in kilos) + (5 x height in cm) – (6.75 x age in years)
• Women: BMR = 655.1 + (9.563 X weight in kilos) + (1.85 X height in cm) – (4.676 x age in years)

Step 2: Take the BMR number and multiply it by the appropriate activity factor

• Sedentary: little or no exercise (BMR x 1.2)
• Light activity: light exercise/sports 1-3 days/week (BMR x 1.375)
• Moderately active: moderate exercise/sports 3-5 days/week (BMR x 1.55)
• Very active: hard exercise/sports 6-7 days/week (BMR x 1.725)
• Extra active: very hard daily exercise/sports & physical job or 2X day training (BMR x 1.9)

This will leave you with an estimated number for the amount of calories your client needs. However, keep in mind that this number is just an estimate and should be used as a guideline, not a rule.

You should work with each client to make sure their nutritional needs and health goals are being met, but you may need to increase or decrease this number depending on how they feel.

Why should you use the Harris-Benedict equation calculator?

As a dietitian, it’s your responsibility to make sure that each client’s nutritional needs are met. Since everyone is unique and has different nutritional needs, weight loss, and health goals, you can’t just create a blanket recommendation and expect it to work for all of your clients.

What works for one person may not work for someone else, so you have to work with each client individually to assess their needs and goals. For instance, an athlete will have different energy needs than a sedentary adult, which means the number of calories will vary, so you need to evaluate each client to create a plan that works for them.

You can do this through creating personalized meal plans, suggesting different exercises, or monitoring water intake, but if you don’t know your client’s specific energy needs, you won’t be able to give precise nutritional guidance.

The Harris-Benedict equation calculator provides a fairly accurate understanding of your client’s daily calorie needs so you can create a nutrition plan that works for them. While this isn’t completely foolproof, it’s a good guideline to use and can be adjusted as necessary to fit each client’s needs and goals.

Summary

The Harris-Benedict equation calculator helps you determine your client’s BMR so you can provide more precise nutrition recommendations. While this method isn’t completely foolproof, it’s a good guideline to use and can be adjusted as necessary to fit each client’s needs and goals.

You can calculate this by hand or use a nutrition software (like Nutrium) to assess BMR and evaluate your client’s health and wellness goals.

We are always working toward bringing you the best nutrition content, so we welcome any suggestions or comments you might have! Feel free to write to us at info@nutrium.com.

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References:

1. Comparison of the Harris-Benedict Equation, Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis, and Indirect Calorimetry for Measurement of Basal Metabolic Rate among Adult Obese Filipino Patients with Prediabetes or Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Retrieved September 1, 2022 from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
   
   
2. Harris-Benedict Calculator (Total Daily Energy Expenditure). Retrieved September 1, 2022 from https://www.omnicalculator.com