Mifflin-St Jeor Equation
The validated clinical formula developed in 1990 used to predict Basal Metabolic Rate from height, weight, age, and sex.
Clinical & Bioenergetic Overview
Published in 1990 by Mifflin, St Jeor, and colleagues in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, this formula remains the most validated predictive BMR equation for healthy and obese non-athletic adults. It improves upon the classical Harris-Benedict equation by reducing overestimation bias in modern sedentary populations.
Mathematical Formula & Calculation
Real-World Worked Example
A 28-year-old female weighing 65 kg at 168 cm: BMR = (10 × 65) + (6.25 × 168) - (5 × 28) - 161 = 650 + 1050 - 140 - 161 = 1,399 kcal/day.
Why It Matters for Dieting
Endorsed by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics as the baseline standard when clinical body composition measurement (DEXA or hydrostatic weighing) is unavailable.
Frequent Mistakes
Using Mifflin-St Jeor for highly muscular athletes with very low body fat. Because it does not measure lean mass, it may underestimate caloric needs for strength athletes.
Calculate with Mifflin-St Jeor
Compute your resting baseline using the clinical standard equation.
Related Bioenergetic Terms
The gold-standard metabolic equation that calculates BMR directly from Lean Body Mass, ignoring biological sex and age.
The baseline caloric expenditure required to sustain vital organ life at complete physical and emotional rest.
The 1984 Roza and Shizgal recalibration of the classical 1919 biometric resting energy expenditure standard.