How is the basal metabolic energy expenditure (BMEE) calculated?

The correct answer, which represents the calculation of basal metabolic energy expenditure (BMEE), utilizes a specific formula that combines several individual factors: weight, height, and age. The formula presented here is a variant of the Harris-Benedict equation, which is a widely used method for estimating resting energy expenditure in adults.

This approach is grounded in the fact that an individual's body weight, height, and age significantly influence their metabolism and, consequently, their energy expenditure at rest. Weight and height help determine body surface area and lean mass, both of which are crucial for understanding energy needs, while age is important as metabolic rate tends to decrease with advancing age.

The formula systematically incorporates these factors, allowing for a personalized calculation of basal metabolic energy expenditure. This is critical for developing appropriate dietary and exercise recommendations tailored to an individual’s needs.

The other options illustrate different methodologies unrelated to BMEE. For instance, one option relates to total caloric activity based on minutes of exercise, another simplifies metabolic rate into a constant factor of BMR, and yet another attempts to adjust calorie expenditure by a subjective activity level. These methods do not provide a direct calculation of BMEE based solely on the physiologically relevant factors of weight, height, and age.