Basal energy expenditure (BEE) refers to that energy expended to maintain critical processes at complete rest, after a fast.

Resting energy expenditure (REE) refers to energy expended at complete rest in a fed state.

Since the REE may be < 10% greater than BEE, the same equations developed to estimate BEE, can be used to estimate REE.

The following equations estimate BEE or REE in healthy populations:

a. Harris-Benedict

men: 66.5 + (13.8 x wt) + (5 x ht) - (6.8 x age)

women: 655.1 + (9.6 x wt) + (1.8 x ht) - (4.7 x age)

b. Owen (no height required)

men: 879 + (10.2 x wt)

women: 755 + (7.18 x wt)

2. Stress and activity factors -There are a number of factors that may either increase or decrease BEE or REE. Stress, injury and activity factors are employed to estimate TEE.

TEE = BEE (or REE) x stress factor x activity factor

Stress Factors
Activity Factors