Nutrition question

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Specializes in ICU.

I am just studying for my nutrition exam and I came across an example test question that I am not sure about. Wondering if someone could help?

Nick is an administrator who is 5'7 tall and weighs 165 lbs. Rick is a student athlete who is 6' tall and 178 lbs. Who do you think has a higher basal metabolic rate?

*a. Rick

b. Nick

The answer is A, but how do you figure this out?

Thank you!

It could be because Rick is a student athelete who has a lot of muscle and less body fat percentage, more muscle & less body fat = a higher metabolic rate

Specializes in NICU/L&D, Hospice.

It's been years since my nutrition class, but here's what I have in my notes from then...

Basal metabolic rate (BMR) calculation: BMR is the amount of energy (Calories) our body requires to maintain life. This does not include physical activity or dietary thermogenesis. You will use these formulas to calculate your BMR in Calories for 24 hours.

pounds wt X 0.454 = kilograms wt

inches ht X 2.54 = centimeters ht

MEN: (13.75 X kg wt)+(5.003 X cm ht)+ 66.8 - (6.755 X age yrs)=BMR Cal/24hrs

WOMEN: (9.563 X kg wt)+(1.85 X cm ht)+ 655 - (4.67 X age yrs)=BMR Cal/24hrs

So, filling in the numbers to your question...

NICK:165 X 0.454=74.91 kg wt

67in X 2.54=170.18 cm ht

(13.75 X 74.91)+(5.003X170.18)+66.8- (6.755X?)

(1030)+(651)+66.8 =1747.8

RICK: 178 X 0.454=80.81 kg ht

72in X 2.54=182.88 cm ht

(13.75 X 80.81)+(5.003X182.88)+66.8 - (age?)

(1111)+(915)+66.8 =2092.8

If you put in that they are both 50yrs old, then the answers would be

(6.755 X 50)= 337.75

NICK: 1747.8 - 337.75=1410.05 Cal BMR/24 hrs

RICK: 2092.8 - 337.75=1755.05 Cal BMR/24 hrs

Either way, with or without age (assuming they are the same age) RICK still comes out with the higher BMR.

I am so glad that no questions like that were asked on my nutrition exam! I was dreading that and thankfully it wasn't asked! Are you using the textbook that has the carrots on the front?

Specializes in Med-Surg.

It would be Rick because lean tissue requires energy unlike fatty tissue. The more lean tissue the more energy that is required and spent.

I am just studying for my nutrition exam and I came across an example test question that I am not sure about. Wondering if someone could help?

Nick is an administrator who is 5'7 tall and weighs 165 lbs. Rick is a student athlete who is 6' tall and 178 lbs. Who do you think has a higher basal metabolic rate?

*a. Rick

b. Nick

The answer is A, but how do you figure this out?

Thank you!

Thanks for giving me a "taste" for what to expect in that class which I still have to take and will do so next Spring ;) Anything math related and my brain just freezes shut!!!!!!:lol2:

Specializes in Neuro.

Heh, I haven't had anything like that on my nutrition tests this quarter. I have boring multiple choice questions with factoids about vitamins and protein and whatnot. I hate it. :(

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