Health and Diet Online Glossary
Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR): The rate at which energy is used at complete rest. BMR is measured by the amount of heat released per a given unit of time. This is expressed as released calories per kilogram of body weight per hour. Although results vary greatly from one individual to another, BMR typically accounts for 60 to 70 percent of daily energy use.
Biological Value (BV): A measure of protein quality based on the percentage of absorbed nitrogen that is retained by the body. This value ranges from 50 – 100 percent and is a measure of how much a dietary protein source can support growth. In other words, BV is related to the amino acid composition of food protein, that is, whether or not it contains adequate amounts of essential amino acids.
Body Mass Index (BMI): A measure of the relative percentages of fat and muscle mass. Weight in kilograms is divided by height in meters. This ratio is then used an index of obesity. Athletes, body builders and pregnant women all have increased BMIs that do not necessarily indicate increased health risks: obviously every individual is different and therefore BMI results should be interpreted with caution: