Learn your Metabolism Your body’s metabolic rate (or total energy expenditure) can be divided into three components, which are: Basal metabolic rate (BMR) – even at rest, the body needs energy (kilojoules) to keep all its systems functioning correctly (such as breathing, keeping the heart beating to circulate blood, growing and repairing cells and adjusting hormone levels). The body’s BMR accounts for the largest amount of energy expended daily (50–80 per cent of your daily energy use). Thermic effect of food (also known as thermogenesis) – your body uses energy to digest the foods and drinks you consume and also absorbs, transports and stores their nutrients. Thermogenesis accounts for about 5–10 per cent of your energy use. Energy used during physical activity – this is the energy used by physical movement and it varies the most depending on how much energy you use each day. Physical activity includes planned exercise (like going for a run or playing sport) but also includes all incidental activity (such as hanging out the washing, playing with the dog or even fidgeting!). Based on a moderately active person (30–45 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity per day), this component contributes 20 per cent of our daily energy use.

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