Human Energy Requirement and Basal Metabolic Rate

Vocabulary flashcards covering energy metabolism, basal metabolic rate (GU), activity metabolic rate, energy conversion units, and influencing factors based on the lecture material.

Energy requirement (Energiebedarf)

The total energy necessary for organs, glands, and muscles to function, for body temperature regulation, and for physical activity; composed of basal metabolic rate, activity metabolic rate, post-meal heat production, and special life situation demands.

Basal metabolic rate (Grundumsatz / GU)

The amount of energy an individual requires while lying completely at rest at room temperature several hours after the last food intake (resting-fasting state), accounting for $60\text{--}70\,\%$ of total daily energy requirement.

Adult basal metabolic rate standard value

Approximately $4\,\text{kJ}$ ($1\,\text{kcal}$) per kilogram of body weight per hour.

Activity metabolic rate (Leistungsumsatz)

The component of the daily energy requirement consumed specifically by muscle work and physical activity.

Diet-induced thermogenesis (Wärmeproduktion nach Nahrungszufuhr)

The increased heat production and energy consumption that occurs in the body following the intake of food.

Influencing factors of basal metabolic rate

Sex/gender (women have a lower BMR), body surface area, exercise, fever, stress, medications, fasting, age, and glandular function.

$1\,\text{kJ}$ (Kilojoule)

A unit of energy equal to $1000\,\text{J}$ (Joules) or $0.2389\,\text{kcal}$ (Kilocalories).

$1\,\text{kcal}$ (Kilocalorie)

A unit of energy equal to $4.18\,\text{kJ}$ (Kilojoules).

$1\,\text{MJ}$ (Megajoule)

A unit of energy equal to $1000\,\text{kJ}$ (Kilojoules).

Additional energy requirements in special life situations

Increased energy demands that occur during physiological states such as growth, pregnancy, and lactation (nursing phases).