What is Basal Metabolic Rate?

A number of processes go on in the body without any conscious effort, even when subject is at complete rest and no physical work is done. These include involuntary processes such as the beating of heart, the circulation of blood etc. These activities are called basal metabolic processes. The energy used for carrying out these activities is known as the basal metabolic rate, abbreviated BMR. The basal energy need constitute more than half of the total energy need, for most of the people.